No One's Perfect

Rating:
Summary: A Spiritual Lift
Review: A Spiritual Lift

This is an autobiography of a great soul.

The author Oto (Hirotada Ototake) was born without arms and legs( a disease called tetra-amelia). Thanks to his great parents who didn't grieve over his disability, Oto was brought up in a way no different from the able-bodied kids(I bet you are interested in knowing how).In addition, through his experience of being often denied the school opportunities under an explanation that the school didn't have full facilities for wheelchair users, he developed his unique viewpoint - able-bodied people cannot cater to social welfare for the disabled from a more thoughtful perspective than the disabled people themselves. Motivated by this idea, he became actively involved in a campaign for a "barrier-free"society( namely, to make public facilities accessible to those in a wheelchair) as an undergraduate at Japan's prestigious Waseda University.

Enormously amazed by the reassuring tone of Oto, I sailored into a chain of touching stories. A particularly contagious one,to me,was about fashion shopping. Oto is a fashion lover and wouldn't miss any chance to shop on sale at a favorite store.On Jan 15,1998, he took the risk of travelling in a blizzard for a sale starting that day. His rationale was,"I wish that people with disabilities would take more pleasure in the way we dress,both to change society's image of us,and to give a lift to our own lives." Oto,thank you,I did get a lift here.

Ten pictures of Oto can be found in this book.In most of them,Oto smiles so shiningly,which seems to be proving his words" Even with a disability, I am enjoying every single day. No one's perfect."

Another person I must mention is the translator Gerry Harcourt, winner of the 1990 Wheatland Translation Prize. Without his efforts,I couldn't have had so much enjoyment in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Limitation and Help
Review: As a Chinese, I can't read the Japanese version, so I can't rate the writing technique of this book. But, base on the Taiwan vesion, I think that the book tell me "a lucky person need many persons to help and support". From the book, I find that, every person will have their limitation, base on the different limitation, we could pick our positive life style and just for these different limitation, we should help others.

Rating:
Summary: I Was Hoping for a much better Literary Piece of Work...
Review: I was curious as to what was going on in the mind of this person. Unfortunately, you don't get into the underlying PERSONAL feelings, emotions and thoughts of the main character/author. The title really caught my eye (No One's Perfect) and I thought it would explore more facets of human imperfection. While you initially feel sorry for Oto just from seeing the photo on the cover of the book...by the end, you come to visualize him as a real and regular person. I found the book to be a more of a scrap together simplistic journal of his life so far. I suppose I have never discriminated against the disabled as it's obvious they've lacked something through life. Each individual finds their own way and it's clear that Oto points out how we must value ourselves more & enjoy every single day no matter what. This book is ideal for a little inspiration for any one (at any age) because it is easy to read & helps one examine 'What one should do to make a difference in improving their life'.

Rating:
Summary: Stupid thing for English
Review: No One's Perfect a book about Hirotada Ototake the man with no arms or legs. It takes place in Japan where Oto grows up and deals with the trials and tribulations of life. As kid without a disability most people don't see the reality of the hardships for the disabled or elderly. In this book you follow a young man as he grows up and faces these trials. The book shows us that everyone can do something if we just give it a try.
Imagine what it is like to be two or three feet tall in elementary school with stubs for arms and legs and having your teacher tell you, you are going to learn how to swim. To use at first we think no problem but that's because we don't think of the disability, and for him it was hard. But through it all he still tried his hardest and never gave up. Through out the book he faces many obstacles like this, and he faces them and never gave up.
The story teaches us more then to never give up. It also shows that we all have potential for something, and if we all work together we can reach it. It also shows that the reason people are called disabled is because the way things in society are set up. If people would just take 5 extra minutes to think of ways to set things up to help disabled people they wouldn't be disabled. This many-themed book deals with lots of issues that need to be addressed.
This book is written in an excellent way that captures the hearts of readers of all ages. The language is simple enough for younger people, but complete complex and complete enough to keep adults' attention as well. This all works because he writes in a way that every one can understand and relate to. He does this by putting things in the view of a younger person relay. As you read it you don't think hey some adult wrote this you think that it is written by some one your own age no matter how old you are. Along with being able to get through to younger generations he is able to reach out and touch the lives of adults at the same time.
One thing that didn't work, however, was the way he sometimes jumped around in time. This does not work because he doesn't give enough detail to figure out at what time every thing is happening. But also at the same time he never seems to lose the attention of the reader, through laughter and what he is trying to get through peoples heads.
This book is wonderful for all ages and types of readers. It's full of humor, sadness, pride, hope, love and the want to make your own life better. Along with all the emotions you get to feel, you also get the chance to see some of the issues that some people face every day. Reading this book you begin to realize that life isn't as bad as you had thought it was. After all if this great person could make the best of his life and be happy with out arms, legs or the opportunities of normal people then I think that you can make your own life better. I recommend this book to any one who has a caring heart of the thirst for a wonderful and emotional experience. I also challenge you all to try and do some thing that will help you reach your potential or help make life a little easier for some one you know that cant always do for them selves. Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Stupid thing for English
Review: No One's Perfect a book about Hirotada Ototake the man with no arms or legs. It takes place in Japan where Oto grows up and deals with the trials and tribulations of life. As kid without a disability most people don't see the reality of the hardships for the disabled or elderly. In this book you follow a young man as he grows up and faces these trials. The book shows us that everyone can do something if we just give it a try.
Imagine what it is like to be two or three feet tall in elementary school with stubs for arms and legs and having your teacher tell you, you are going to learn how to swim. To use at first we think no problem but that's because we don't think of the disability, and for him it was hard. But through it all he still tried his hardest and never gave up. Through out the book he faces many obstacles like this, and he faces them and never gave up.
The story teaches us more then to never give up. It also shows that we all have potential for something, and if we all work together we can reach it. It also shows that the reason people are called disabled is because the way things in society are set up. If people would just take 5 extra minutes to think of ways to set things up to help disabled people they wouldn't be disabled. This many-themed book deals with lots of issues that need to be addressed.
This book is written in an excellent way that captures the hearts of readers of all ages. The language is simple enough for younger people, but complete complex and complete enough to keep adults' attention as well. This all works because he writes in a way that every one can understand and relate to. He does this by putting things in the view of a younger person relay. As you read it you don't think hey some adult wrote this you think that it is written by some one your own age no matter how old you are. Along with being able to get through to younger generations he is able to reach out and touch the lives of adults at the same time.
One thing that didn't work, however, was the way he sometimes jumped around in time. This does not work because he doesn't give enough detail to figure out at what time every thing is happening. But also at the same time he never seems to lose the attention of the reader, through laughter and what he is trying to get through peoples heads.
This book is wonderful for all ages and types of readers. It's full of humor, sadness, pride, hope, love and the want to make your own life better. Along with all the emotions you get to feel, you also get the chance to see some of the issues that some people face every day. Reading this book you begin to realize that life isn't as bad as you had thought it was. After all if this great person could make the best of his life and be happy with out arms, legs or the opportunities of normal people then I think that you can make your own life better. I recommend this book to any one who has a caring heart of the thirst for a wonderful and emotional experience. I also challenge you all to try and do some thing that will help you reach your potential or help make life a little easier for some one you know that cant always do for them selves. Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring story
Review: One of the main points of the book is that it really shouldn't matter whether or not someone is disabled. That said, being disabled gave Hirotada Ototake many challenges and opportunities which are uncommon. You can imagine the challenges, but what really struck me was how the author took advantage of his opportunities, working hard to get into excellent schools and taking on leadership roles throughout his life... and he's only 4 years older than I am! It seems like an awful lot to accomplish in such a short time.

The best part of this book, however, is not the story or the accomplishments, but the attitude. It's very difficult to read this book without being inspired. When I was younger, I read "Anne of Green Gables" whenever I wanted to remind myself that hard work and dedication can make all sorts of things possible. "No One's Perfect" has the same message and the same kind of inspiration.

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was that, like some other reviewers, I was hoping for more emotional insight. In some ways, the story is a little too abstract, and I'd like to know how the author FELT, since I know that most of the time, my situation cannot be completely expressed in logical thoughts alone.

Great book!

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring story
Review: One of the main points of the book is that it really shouldn't matter whether or not someone is disabled. That said, being disabled gave Hirotada Ototake many challenges and opportunities which are uncommon. You can imagine the challenges, but what really struck me was how the author took advantage of his opportunities, working hard to get into excellent schools and taking on leadership roles throughout his life... and he's only 4 years older than I am! It seems like an awful lot to accomplish in such a short time.

The best part of this book, however, is not the story or the accomplishments, but the attitude. It's very difficult to read this book without being inspired. When I was younger, I read "Anne of Green Gables" whenever I wanted to remind myself that hard work and dedication can make all sorts of things possible. "No One's Perfect" has the same message and the same kind of inspiration.

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was that, like some other reviewers, I was hoping for more emotional insight. In some ways, the story is a little too abstract, and I'd like to know how the author FELT, since I know that most of the time, my situation cannot be completely expressed in logical thoughts alone.

Great book!

Rating:
Summary: amazing courage and optimism!
Review: this book greatly inspired me. Oto's courage and optimism for life is simply amazing. in his autobiography, he has shown that being born without limbs just means that he is unique, different, but that does not mean that he should be depressed or wallow in self-pity. in fact, he displays such extraordinary strength in his character.

It's reader's friendly, even a child picking up the book will read it without much difficulty.

a must-read for anyone who thinks that life is unfair for them and sits at home, grumbling abt how unfruitful their life is. Oto shows that how happy your life is depends on your attitude, it has nothing to do with whether you had legs and arms or not.

simply adore him! *applause*

Rating:
Summary: This book is just his biography.
Review: This guy Hirotada Ototake has no legs and arms since he was born. Recently he graduated university and started his carrer as an author. Last year he had some experiences as a part-time reporter in a Japanese TV station.

He frequently says that no matter he has no legs and arms, he's always happy. He attempts to show more views of "normalization." Until know, over 4.2 million copies were sold in Japan.

I have already read the original Japanese version some times ago. However, if I think about what this book contains, this is nothing special. Personally I think this book is just Ototake's biography, such as how his parents, friends, teachers, and more people respect him, support him, and how he has his happy life.

Probably this book became a boom for some reason, and so many Japanese people clunched it. They may wanted to read this book just because so many other people read.

Besides, on the title page of the original Japanese book, a message says "Don't impress me. Just look at me as an example." If Ototake is surely not looking for being impressed, he will never write like that. Maybe the publishing company thought this idea for getting more attentions.

In conclusion, even if I respect Ototake's life, this book is just a normal biography of his life.

Rating:
Summary: Bouyant enthusiasm
Review: This is a very inspiring book. The author may have no limbs, but he is certainly not disabled. He must have incredible parents that gave him a great outlook to do what he does. He has an outgoing personality coupled with unstoppable bouyant enthusiasm for life and everything that it offers. He looks on the good side without ignoring the bad side. He makes both sides work for him. Anyone can learn a lot about what a difference attitude makes from reading this book. The author is a living example that life is what we make of it.