NANCY’S BOOK REVIEW Feb - March 2011

Breaking Free From The Street to the Stage

by

Christopher Power

Christopher Power trained as a professional actor at Richmond drama school and RADA.  He also trained in BBC/Commercial Radio and is a regular on BBC radio and has worked in TV, theatre and film as well as teaching drama.  A family man, with a wife and child, Christopher is also a Christian and an anxiety sufferer.       

Breaking Free is an autobiography of Christopher’s journey from street to stage.  Having spoken to Christopher it is clear that his journey from humble beginnings in Birkenhead to the fulfilling life that he has today can be attributed to his resolve to turn negative into positive. He is a gentle, unassuming man and I’m sure his purpose in writing this book is to share his often traumatic life story to give inspiration to others who may be experiencing difficult times.

Christopher’s parents married young, they had four children and his father spent many years in prison, indeed he was in prison when they met, his mother on a prison visit. Times were hard and family life was difficult.  The story begins with the murder of a family friend when Christopher was a young boy.

Christopher was a shy insecure boy, in comparison to his older brother who was a much tougher individual. He was also troubled with poor health and a speech impediment.  In hospital, in what should have been a safe place, he was subjected to abuse from an older boy.  Teenage rebellion developed into crime, joining a gang, addiction to alcohol, drugs and gambling, wrong choices were made and sadly this culminated in a custodial sentence, ninety days in a detention centre.

It would have been understandable perhaps for the author to have blamed his background and upbringing as his life spiralled out of control.  However, he does not do this.  Christopher writes about his life, with all its ups and downs and traumas in an honest and straightforward way, not as an excuse for his downfall but as an inspiration to anyone feeling trapped and out of control, feeling there is nowhere to turn.  Writing this book and examining his life, his        mistakes and his shortcomings with such openness has I am sure been a very painful journey for Christopher but I would hope, also cathartic.  Susan Beresford who is an actor and voice coach describes this book as inspirational and uplifting.  Denise Robinson from ITV This Morning says that ‘anyone who thinks they will never be able to break free of the misery which engulfs them should read this book. From an unfortunate beginning Christopher Lee Power’s life degenerated into chaos. Today he has a life many would envy.  Reading how he did it made me realise what a human spirit can            accomplish when it tries.’ What an accolade.

A concise, easy to read and often humorous book, Breaking Free by Christopher Power is an example of how change is possible despite a difficult start in life.  We all have the power within us to change our lives for the better too.

Published by O-Books ISBN 978-1-84694-171-9 www.o-books.ne

Available from all good book shops

Cover Price £7.99 Available from Amazon Price £7.19