A Review of The Awakening of HK Derryberry

At first glance, The Awakening of HK Derryberry seems like another story you’ve read before with maybe a couple of variations. But in reality, the book reads with such honesty and insight into the special relationship between these two people that it’s hard to walk away from the book without your perspective slightly moved.

The book details the relationship between HK Derryberry, a boy with an unbelievable ability to remember everything and a man that made the seemingly random choice to turn into a different fast food restaurant to enjoy a cup of coffee. From there, tons of information comes out about HK, his past, his disabilities, but more importantly, his outlook on life.

One of my favorite features of the book is the fact that there are moments when mistakes are made. They aren’t covered up. This isn’t show to be a perfect relationship where everything happens the way it should. Bradford is candid, making it even more interesting to read. Within one chapter I’d find myself with a huge smile only to experience tears as the section came to an end.

I’m not quite sure how to explain this next feature that endeared the book to me, but I’ll try. It doesn’t sound like it’s written by someone that is a professional author. Instead, Bradford’s voice and explanations come through loud and clear. Sometimes sentences are choppy or an event is explained in a very stiff way. Instead of being put off by this, for me, it made the store all the more real.


I don’t know that this is a book I would have picked up had I walked by it in the bookstore. But after reading it, it would certainly be one that I would recommend to others. There’s a lot to learn about relationships and endurance, setbacks and successes. Read it and see if it doesn’t make you take a closer look at your life and the things that you may unknowingly pass by each and every day.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

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