The Pursuit of Happyness

Successful entrepreneur Chris Gardner writes a compelling autobiography that is far more scintillating and dramatic that the film version with Will Smith. That’s not to say the movie didn’t follow the book or that it lacked heart, but the substance of the book lays a much deeper foundation for the struggles that Garner would eventually overcome.

One such element is the description of Gardner’s childhood in Milwaukee during the sixties. He details a life of desolation among the city’s poor neighborhoods and the struggle to survive daily ordeals. When Gardner discusses the actions of his stepfather, one can almost hear the stepfather’s voice and the misery he would inflict on young Chris and his family. Older and trying to eke out a living in 1980s San Francisco, the elements and distance and level of poverty all set the scene for Gardner’s journey into fatherhood.


The characters come alive as the dialogue jumps from the page. Young Chris, at that point aspiring to be an actor, asks his mother for money, only to get a lively response: “Well, why don’t you just act like you got five dollars?” his mother gives sage advice like this that reverberates throughout the book. Gardner does a pretty good job of keeping his character believable, letting the stories tell themselves. While the accomplishments are amazing, they are believable because Gardner injects everything with humility, acknowledging his mistakes and not exaggerating his exploits.

Throughout The Pursuit of Happyness, Gardner deftly invokes passion while layering the steps that would establish his desire to be a father whose son was his top priority. His determination is riveting, drawing the reader to feel heartbreak when his describes being homeless while trying to take care of his son Christopher and earn his keep at Dean Witter. We learn about his studying medicine while in the Navy and how his aspirations to become a doctor hit roadblocks. We journey with Gardner when he meets his birth father and we gain insight into his eventually successful career managing investments. It’s a gripping tale and an excellent choice for teen readers.