Sing For Your Life, a biography of someone I know.

So, I just finished a biography of a young man I had the great pleasure to know when he was at Hartt, Mr Ryan Speedo Green.

I am amazed at Speedo's resilience and determination.   He is an amazing person.  He always captivated people with his warmth and generosity of spirit when he was at Hartt, but I was a little disappointed with the biography in some ways.

Let me explain.

The biography begins with his audition at the Met, but then flips between that and his childhood in a manner I found disconcerting.  It was too choppy.  I know the author, Daniel Bergner, a white man, intended contrast and showing disconcertion and alienation, but I found the first third of the book VERY difficult to read, and not only because of the difficult family dynamics, but Bergner's tone did not seem to show the Ryan Speedo Green I knew.    

That being said, once Bergner ceased with the flipping from childhood to adulthood, and went into a more linear fashion, the book improved dramatically.  

Speedo is an articulate, intelligent young man, and this is shown clearly through the end of the book.  He has an amazing personality, and is very aware of race and the impact he can have for young men and women as a role model.   I'm a little saddened that Bergner felt the need to compare and contrast Ryan with his brother.  And of course I'm disappointed that there was very little discussion of his time in Connecticut.

I am fascinated by the contrast I 'hear' when Bergner is discussing, as an observer, and when Speedo is discussing, as someone who feels it, things like the problem of race here in the States.  Bergner does state that he can't really 'get it' as a white man, which is something.  I do wonder if the book could have used one more rewrite before going to press.  

That being said, the remaining two thirds of the book really emphasise what an amazing person Speedo is, and how much he overcame to get to where he is now.   I'm already looking forward to the next biography, in thirty years!  

Congrats, Speedo.  I consider it an honor to have known you, however briefly, and to have gotten a glimpse inside your life, and the contrasts within it.  To see your bravery and honor and nobility.

You are an inspiration to us all.