The grandson of Hollywood royalty on his father's side and Holocaust survivors on his mother's, Omar Sharif Jr. learned early on how to move between worlds, from the Montreal suburbs to the glamorous orbit of his grandparents's Cairo.
... meandering and melancholy – but ultimately meaningful ... Sharif's memoir grips you for sure – sending you on international adventures and even to the Oscars stage – and could indeed help someone grappling with their sexuality. But despite shared growing pains, most won't relate to his specific privileges. The book also loses its way in its attempts to capture the weight of who his prolific grandfather was ... He posits a strong point, suggesting the world can't subsist on all-or-nothing ultimatums. But it comes across slightly tone-deaf, in spite of his obvious heroism, given the centuries advocates have spent fighting for equality to receive nothing in return.
[Sharif] uses his grandfather’s inspirational, complex, and poignant advice as a guide through his life’s unique challenges and shares his yearning to fully be himself while also gaining acceptance and accomplishing his goals ... Sharif survives many trials and tribulations on the way to revelation.
