REVIEW: Will by Will Smith and Mark Manson

Will Smith is one of the most recognisable and iconic stars of Hollywood today. Catapulted to mainstream stardom with his hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and his early rap career, Will went on to star in some of the biggest blockbuster films of the last three decades — Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, I Robot, I Am Legend and Aladdin, just to name a few — making him one of the most bankable stars in the movie industry. In Will, a memoir which he co-wrote with Mark Manson, Will Smith gives us an honest and open look at his life and the journey that has shaped the man whose music and acting is loved by millions around the world.

Will Smith

In West Philadelphia, born and raised (had to make at least one Fresh Prince reference), Will didn’t always have it easy. He starts off by recounting a horrific act of domestic violence committed by his father against his mother, and the shame and cowardice he felt at witnessing such a despicable act and not being able to do anything to stop it as a child. (He would later go on to have a moment where he wanted to avenge his mother.) His upbringing had a profound effect on him, but that moment in particular shapes everything about what made him a father, husband and public figure.

Will goes into detail of his father’s life and the violent tendencies he had, while being conflicted and also being appreciative of everything he did for him and his siblings. He also talks about his mother and his grandmother and that they instilled love and education as important aspects of life — a major contrast to the discipline that his father felt was important.

Will also describes the first times he felt prejudiced as an African American man and the birth of his sense of humour and wanting to perform for those around them. He believed that humour was a good way to keep things colour blind, as people were less racist and prejudiced when he was able to make them laugh and entertain them. Sitcoms were also a great source of comfort to him after his mother left the family home and moved in with his grandmother.

Mark Manson

The book touches on Smith’s key milestones, with insight into several moments such as his rapping, the birth of his moniker ‘The Fresh Prince’, and becoming lifelong friends with DJ Jazzy Jeff and their frequent collaborations in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He goes on to win a Grammy, star in his own hit sitcom, become one of the biggest Hollywood stars, meet and marry his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and embark on a journey of fatherhood. Mark Manson’s style of writing also really enhances the book — there are pearls of wisdom throughout every chapter, giving Smith’s memoir a bit of a self-help feel.

Will is another excellent celebrity biography that gives the reader an understanding into what makes a larger than life personality like Will Smith and what drives him to excel and be the best at everything he does. A great read for fans of Kevin Hart’s I Can’t Make This Up and Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

—Will by Will Smith and Mark Manson (Penguin Books Australia) is out now.

Will

by Will Smith & Mark Manson

The 'Event' Autobiography of the Year - a brave, inspiring and wildly entertaining memoir full of self-help lessons for readers, from one of the world's most charismatic and much-loved actors.

One of the most dynamic and globally recognized entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life, in a brave and inspiring book that traces his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness, and human connection are aligned. Along the way, Will tells the story in full of one of the most amazing rides through the worlds of music and film that anyone has ever had.

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About the Contributor

Arthur Malkoun