Ghetto Bastard: The Beginning: Animal Prequel

My youngest son asked me to get him this book to read. He says the series is actually good

After having the honor of speaking with the incomparable Mr. K'wan Foye it was brought to my attention that my collection wasn't quite complete. So of course me being the longtime fan and avid reader that I am I came directly to Amazon and downloaded the books that I was missing(my husband is going to kill me LOL) At any rate this book as I am sure the others that I have to read was well worth the price. So let's jump right into the review. This book gave me a glimpse into the psyche of Tayshawn aka Animal and it changed my entire outlook on this character. While I've always loved Animal there have been many times when I didn't quite understand where the level of violence he would administer was coming from. I cried in parts became extremely angry and flustered in others and even still I was riveted to this tale as if it was a piece of cinematic art that I couldn't bear to tear my eyes from. We see Animal as a young child and witness the atrocities that he had to suffer. Everything was made plain. We get the opportunity to witness how he was neglected and turned into the very thing that he didn't want to be. He was a survivor but most importantly he was a product of his environment. He met many people on his journey that most would relegate to the dredges or fringes of society deeming them unfit to associate with. For Animal many of these so-called misfits and miscreants were family. They fed him, gave him shelter, provided him with a blueprint to navigate the concrete jungle of New York all well before he reached the age of maturity. I always knew that K'wan was and still is a phenomenal writer but I think with the passage of time I forgot what an intellectual wordsmith he is. The play on specific character's names that would evoke a reaction from Animal as we've seen happen many times throughout the series that he has starred in or even the descriptive images that spring to mind just with the artful creation of a specific scene. I could see his hair as it was matted to his head because he wouldn't allow anyone else to touch it but his first love Nokia. I could envision the contradiction of Kastro small in stature and frame but more dangerous than many of the counterparts that inhabited Hell. The life lessons that Tango imparted to a young Animal brought feelings of nostalgia for the men and women who held firm to a certain code. I enjoyed seeing one of my favorite characters, Tech and the beginning of the bond and friendship that he and Animal established with one another. I loved seeing both Lou-Loc and Gutter make a cameo appearance in this read. Seeing the very traits and characteristics that were firmly entrenched in Animal begin to take root and grow in Ashaunti was both heartbreaking to witness and yet so poignantly true that again I was a crying mess. Just reading this book was a field trip to an environment that I know nothing about but can wholeheartedly empathize and salute anyone that was able to survive and thrive. All of this and much, much more is what I got from this story. Even though my eyes were red and I was surrounded by a sea of kleenex, I felt better for taking the time to read such a masterpiece. Mr. K'wan you have once again created a work of art that will likely stand the tests of time. Your work will be revered, talked about and cherished for many many years to come. I salute you sir in all of your literary genius. If you have never read a K'wan story this is a good one to start with and continue through this impressive catalog because each book just gets better and better as you proceed!!!

This is one of the BEST novels I have ever read by K'wan and I have read some good ones! I don't think you understand! k'wan put lyrics on a page and had it come together in one beautiful harmony! I was so drawn to this story until I felt the hurt and rage that the characters felt and I really wanted to strike out at the sneaky azz villains! You could not help but root for the young boy Animal, whom from the time he was born was dealt a fate that no man more less a child should have had to deal with. blow after blow! tragedy after tragedy changed the innocence in a child into a beast with fury. You could feel the transformation of young Animal coming straight out the pages. let me end by saying I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the release of Animal 3. I will be team Animal until Animal is no more. I highly recommend that you get on board as well and read all about this kid! trust me, you will not be disappointed! I would have rated this book with ten stars if I could. Congratulations to the author for writing a hell of a story.

The story in this book is so emotional and you can't stop until you finish the story. Very well written.

The book was well written. Makes me want to go back and read the others again now that I've read the prequel.

Wow, so that is how it was in the beginning. It was very good reading Animal's humble beginning and how he met up with Tech and Ashanti. We already know that Ashanti will see his sister again. Ashanti's mother was just shameful, shameful, shameful. Animal's mother was about the same. Eddie was pitiful but that is what happens when you are strung out on drugs. This was good, Kwan did a nice job with it but I'm waiting on Animal 5 and the next book in the Diamonds series.

Man, I have so much to say I don't know where to begin. GhettoBastard is worth every penny! It accomplished exactly what it set out todo; take us to the beginning. I love the connection between your other books and yes, this can stand alone by itself. It actually makes me want to go and re-read all the others...laugh out loud. K'Wan, I thank you for not failing your readers. A true O.G in Urban lit and you have yet to disappoint. I have never returned one of your books, read the description before purchasing or hesitated to one click or Pre Order your work. I wish I could say the same for other O.G Writers. I'm do tired of paying 9.99 for error riddled, drawn out chapters. Some of these other "series" shouldn't of went past the first or third book , but, I'm ready to see you series on the BIG SCREEN! I feel like I'm rambling, but I really appreciate the quality of your work. Thanks for saving urban lit because I was slowly so starting to lose faith.

This book was so well written and engaging. I love me some Animal - now even more. The way you introduced all of the characters from previous books ( (I won't name names) and how they entered Animal's life, for good or bad, was a welcomed change. Some authors struggle to intertwine characters and stories from previous books, forgetting what they wrote and hoping the reader did also (Prada Plan 4, which I couldn't review because THANK GOD I got it from the library and didn't pay for it because it was worst than Prada 3). This book was very entertaining and I highly recommend it. If you weren't TeamAnimal you will be after this read, a definite page turner. Kwan you have done it again.

I am glad K'wan wrote a story about the beginning of Animal. This story needed to be told. I have read many of K'wan's books and was intrigue by accuracy of relationships and people. I found myself going back and reading parts of the Hoodrat series, Animal stories and Gangland. K'wan created another page turner with this story and I cannot wait to read more about Animal. I definitely would recommend reading this story.

If you ever wanted to know what Animal went through as a child to become the hardened street soldier he ended up becoming this is the novel for you, K'wan releases another classic and maybe one of his best works to date a certified five star read.

if your a fan of K'wan this is a good book , but If your a Animal fan , then this book is a MUST READ and the story is long too, one of his better lengthier books too !

He does it again