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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Toby Wolff gives us a view of his adolescence in Utah and mostly Chinook, WA. Raised by his mother, physically and emotionally abused by his mother's second husband. Toby invents new realities as he learns to cope with the challenges of growing up. Great insights about life that I should have picked up a pencil to write down.
I've met Tobias Wolff (I got the opportunity to have dinner with him, actually), so I'm a little biased, and coming from an all-boys school, I'm a little more biased, but this memoir explains why Wolff writes what he does so well - they say write what you know, and his memoir, which reads like a novel, shows why they say that.
I really liked Old School and in a way this is the prequel to that character. While this is a memoir and Old School is fiction I think there is resemblance. Its interesting how this books starts when Tobias and his mom cross the continental divide - they are on the runs from things back East. It basically ends with a return there. If you read Old School you kind of have an idea about where he is going to end up, but the getting there is the interesting part.
My favorite section is when he lies in the woods, so he can hear his friends search for him.
My favorite section is when he lies in the woods, so he can hear his friends search for him.
reflective
slow-paced
A relaxing exploration of a tumultuous mind
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
The most impressive thing about this book is the quality of the writing. Not only the use of words more often seen in poetry than prose, but also the smooth transition of character roles that classifies good drama. [return][return]The only detraction was the lack of likable characters, but in a book this short, it's not too much of a burden to follow them. While I would be hard pressed to call the protagonist a hero, he is presented so that I cannot help but identify with him. The little details of how his mind wanders and the physical effects of being angry make him feel real.[return][return]Most importantly for any type of mystery, the twists and turns managed to be both unanticipated and reasonable in light of the rest of the story.[return][return]This is the first book I've read by Benjamin Black. I'll certainly be looking for more.
There was an earlier review for this book that I found really accurate. The reviewer said she didn't understand why she enjoyed the book as well as she did. Strangely, I felt the same thing. The stories seem incidental but together they all really work. I am not the biggest fan of memoirs and so again I find myself surprised by my enjoyment. The writing is effortless which essentially makes the reading effortless.
I expected a story of brutality but that wasn't the case at all. While there was certainly some emotional abuse and one incident of physically abuse, the story follows the poor decisions of Jack. At times I wanted to shake him and make him witness his stupidity. In fact, nearly every adult in the story feels the same. However, despite the continual mistake followed by mistake, Jack refuses to change. I would feel absolutely terrible about the future of this child if I didn't know that in the end Jack finds his bearings and gets his life in order.
I expected a story of brutality but that wasn't the case at all. While there was certainly some emotional abuse and one incident of physically abuse, the story follows the poor decisions of Jack. At times I wanted to shake him and make him witness his stupidity. In fact, nearly every adult in the story feels the same. However, despite the continual mistake followed by mistake, Jack refuses to change. I would feel absolutely terrible about the future of this child if I didn't know that in the end Jack finds his bearings and gets his life in order.