Impossible: My Story (Young Reader’s Edition)
Stan Walker
HarperCollins
Pub. 2020 (new edition 2022)

May 23, 2022

Impossible by Stan Walker is truly a story of courage, and having the strength to keep on going. That may sound cheesy, but it’s true.

Stan writes about the hard times in his life; the ups and downs, and the challenges he faced throughout his childhood. I can’t find enough words to describe how amazing this book was.

What I love most about Impossible, is that Stan isn’t ashamed to show his emotions; he shows them openly, and isn’t scared to hide anything. The way he shows his emotions so deeply is intriguing, and I could almost feel his pain as I read.

Stan grew up being abused, by his parents and friends. He was constantly having feelings of hate about himself, and other strong similar emotion. His father regularly gave him beatings and hidings, and Stan lived in constant fear of him.

But when the family came to know God, their lives changed dramatically. They found refuge in the church, and although there were still beatings happening in their home, there were not nearly as many as before they came to church.

Stan didn’t really have the same relationship with God as his parents did, he was still hesitant about faith, but that changed when he decided to tag along on a Christian youth camp.

‘…The preacher led us in prayer…and I closed my eyes, and suddenly everything became very real…and then it was like I blacked out and my mind was filled with an incredible vision. I was on a stage, singing, and in front of me in the audience was a sea of people, my own people. 

A voice said: I’ve called you to sing my people back home to me, so they can be healed.

And then I opened my eyes. I was still at the camp…but I was so gob-smacked I couldn’t speak to nobody…and I promised God, and I promised myself, that no matter how hard it got, I was never turning back.’

I was, in Stan’s words, gob-smacked when I read that paragraph. I find it so powerful; I can’t even find the words to describe it.

Stan faces multiple obstacles through his childhood, and throughout his teenage years. When he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, it was one of the bigger obstacles that he had to overcome.

But after auditioning for Australian idol, his life changes forever. I could go on and on about Impossible for ages, but I better not spoil it.

I had listened to a few of Stan Walker’s songs before I read his autobiography, but after reading the book, I went back and listened to all of the songs he mentions. Those songs now come through with a much deeper meaning for me, now that I’ve realised the pain, the hurt, and the shame that he was carrying through those tough times.

I would recommend Impossible Young Readers Edition, to an age group of about 10-14 year olds, as there are a few things in the book that younger kids probably shouldn’t be reading about, such as abuse.

Overall, I loved this book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it, (even for the third time in a week) I’m not normally one to read autobiographies, but Impossible was definitely a step above the rest.

I can guarantee you that this will be the most inspiring, uplifting, and courageous book that you will read this year.

• Brianna Hellyer lives in Rolleston, Christchurch.