From the Bookshelf of iUrban.org…

[close] Upon opening the pages of The Bastard Child I was shocked that anyone of African American heritage (or any other heritage), and a homegrown native of Plainfield, NJ, (My own hometown as well) would openly refer to themselves as a bastard which to most would be tantamount of calling one's mother a no-good whore, and would surely result in a physical altercation.
However, this is not the case. In fact, my review maybe a bit biased but more insightful nevertheless. Why, you may ask? It's because Sean P Hoggs and I grew up in the same apartment complex. We spoke, broke bread, and hung within the same circles, and yet we were on different islands. Meaning at the time I was the nerd, and sort of aloof within my family while Sean hung out with the cool inner circle to say the least. I was college bound whereas Sean was jail bound.
Therefore, when Sean asked me to review his book I felt honored to say the least, and unlike other books written by authors within my hometown. I can truly say I was extremely impressed by his penmanship, uncanny self-expression, and the no-holds-bar approach as to where Sean revealed his most inner, darkest secrets which he kept hidden from his closest friends.
As I turned the pages of this autobiography I truly must say that I felt every lashing, verbal assault, or otherwise that this man endured as a child from those who were supposed to love and protect him.
The Bastard Child is a Masterpiece to say the least. It's the type of book that one would expect to be featured on Oprah Winfrey, Hollywood, and other major media outlets. This book should be in the hands of the President who understands why some of us such as Sean P Hogg's have the audacity of hope to overcome, and have overcame some of the most horrific moments in life that no child should have endured. Reading his story would make some say that it's a miracle that Sean didn't become just another statistic, heroin addict, or other outcast of society.
I chose to feature this book on iUrban.org because The Bastard Child is what Urban Fiction is made of; the struggles we endure as a people. Those of us who grew up in the streetz, hoodz, ghettos, projects, and then some. If you have ever had to share one of your meals with the cockroaches then you can relate to The Bastard Child. If you had an immature father who was self-centered, and egotistical, or dealt with your mother's abusive Post Traumatic Stress-Disordered terrorizing boyfriend who threatened to kill your whole family, then you can relate to being a Bastard Child.
Furthermore, if you were forced to live with someone you never knew, and found yourself being abused by a fat, abusive, atrocious, tobacco, chewing, pseudo religious narcissus who beat you for trying to do the right thing then you can relate to being a Bastard Child. Also, if you found yourself bleeding from wounds created from being beaten with an extension cord by the woman who was supposed to cherish you above all women then you certainly are a Bastard Child.
To sum up a great book, I must say that this autobiography doesn't merely focus on the tragic events such as the few mentioned above. Contrarily, it's just the opposite. Sean could've have revealed a panoply of life events that would have made several people cringe within their own souls because I know firsthand about 'The Life' within the streets of Plainfield for as Sean pressed forward many fell backwards. Whereas Sean could have spilled enough beans so as to even make the Devil yell out, "Hot D***n! Why did you tell them that I was saving that ish for Judgement Day!" He humbly keeps the focus on his own activities which I highly respect. Nevertheless, this book truly is one filled with resilience, hope, and utter achievement; as it takes you from the streets of Plainfield to The Red Square in Russia, and back to square one having witnessed how Sean has risen to a higher plateau.
Also, whereas others simply wrote stories riding on the coattails of others. Pretending to be something the actually are not. Sean gives you the utmost, sincerest, and humbling outlook on how to become an achiever by doing the "The Right Things". For even during his 24 years of service in the military was not without great opposition, and anyone who tries to belittle, or downgrade Sean's achievements are those who embrace ignorance not knowing what it's like growing up within an environment that embraces a "Jungle Mentality." For anyone who knows Plainfield, NJ only has to pick up any paper or, a little historical research, and see a drug riddled environment, full of gangbangers, thugs, robbers, murderers, and the likes thereof. I know because the streets corrupted me. Yet, this isn't about me. It's about a man whom I have grown to love ad admire. One whom I am honored to have known, and am able to share a wealth of insight he has written on the pages of The Bastard Child.
Furthermore I would like to say on behalf of myself and my team here at The Urb:
Sean, those of us here at The Urb support your efforts 100%, and we encourage those of you who have a wayward child, or, know of anyone who has lost their way to share this story because it will make a difference. Thank You Sean because we know that sharing a story such as this took a lot of effort on your part. Revealing your darkest secrets, and facing your demons have forever destroyed The Bastard Child, and produced an Honorary Man, A US Vet, and someone whom we are glad to say is our brother and friend. Yahweh Bless!
One final note to all, If you are looking for the real deal in Urban lit this is not a reflection, nor an image... This is the foundation of trouble within the streets, but embraces the solutions to overcome. Also, although I found the typical errors found in most self-published books. I did not let this detract from the overall substance of the story for I know firsthand that the author here is sincere... Cop this Book today by clicking the cover icon below. Trust me, you won't regret it!