We Review Nowhere But Up

"It's hard to be a single mum, and even harder to be a good one."

The strapline for Pattie Mallette’s autobiography: "The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom," implies there’s no merit in her story other than the fact of her famous son. Sadly, it’s true that she probably wouldn’t have got her story into print but for that fact; which only proves how shamefully infected with celebrity culture we all are. But that said, well done Christian publisher Revell for picking up the whole story and not just the part that relates to the teenage megastar.

Thankfully, the adolescent heart-throb makes no appearance until over half way through; and it’s not his story at all – so don’t buy this for your Beiber-besotted daughters and nieces. It’s a hard story of a hard life that – almost miraculously, ends well where so many stories of abuse, drugs, deprivation, betrayal and teenage pregnancy seldom do.

It’s not a long book and it is well produced; with the collaboration of ‘ghost writer’ A J Gregory keeping the story tight and on track. Pattie is revealed as a talented and determined woman who finds faith at the bottom of a pit of suicidal despair. It’s clear she always had what it takes to build a fulfilling and effective life; she just couldn’t get the pieces to stick together.

Now, with all the pieces held in place by her strong faith, the author is making a big difference in the lives of girls with a story like hers. This is a story of rescue and redemption, not just for Pattie, but for many more that might otherwise take the same road, but wouldn’t live to tell their tale. - Les Ellison