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A review by livingpalm1
This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff
4.0
I've lost track of the number of times I've heard the Wolff brothers (Toby & Geoffery) referenced by authors I admire. It took reading The Art of Memoir (Karr) which prominently features examples from both of the Wolffs' memoir-writing prowess, and realizing I'd have the opportunity to hear Tobias Wolff speak in person that finally got me me to read This Boy's Life. It did not disappoint. Neither did the plenary session given by Mr. Wolff at the of Faith & Writing.
Tobias Wolff's ability to write a character is a beautiful thing to read (and to hear, as he read for us at the festival). His brilliant ability to not take himself too seriously, while taking others in his story seriously is a model for us all. I am so sad for the suffering he endured (particularly from his narcissistic stepfather). There were parts of his story - the parts where he was emotionally abused even more than the physical - that I could have closed the book and wept for every scared boy trying to "man up" for the love of his lonely mother. I happen to know a man like that, and knew him in the midst of some similar pain. I remember being like 14-years-old, dialing his phone number from my harvest gold rotary phone, praying to God that the bully of a stepfather wouldn't answer the phone.
Perhaps my favorite discovery of Tobias Wolff happened at the festival, at the end of a long day in which I'd heard him speak in the morning. I was outside the main building waiting for my hotel shuttle, and Mr. Wolff and his wife were dropped off by a private shuttle to enter the lodge. He was walking toward the door with what can best be described as a bounce, kind of springing off the balls of his feet, grinning from ear to ear beneath the iconic white mustache. I heard him say to his wife as he reached for the glass door to pull it open for her, "These are such wonderful people, aren't they?" And I gave thanks to the God who gives little abandoned boys these reservoirs of childlike joy that go on to bless us all.
God bless you, Toby Wolff.
Tobias Wolff's ability to write a character is a beautiful thing to read (and to hear, as he read for us at the festival). His brilliant ability to not take himself too seriously, while taking others in his story seriously is a model for us all. I am so sad for the suffering he endured (particularly from his narcissistic stepfather). There were parts of his story - the parts where he was emotionally abused even more than the physical - that I could have closed the book and wept for every scared boy trying to "man up" for the love of his lonely mother. I happen to know a man like that, and knew him in the midst of some similar pain. I remember being like 14-years-old, dialing his phone number from my harvest gold rotary phone, praying to God that the bully of a stepfather wouldn't answer the phone.
Perhaps my favorite discovery of Tobias Wolff happened at the festival, at the end of a long day in which I'd heard him speak in the morning. I was outside the main building waiting for my hotel shuttle, and Mr. Wolff and his wife were dropped off by a private shuttle to enter the lodge. He was walking toward the door with what can best be described as a bounce, kind of springing off the balls of his feet, grinning from ear to ear beneath the iconic white mustache. I heard him say to his wife as he reached for the glass door to pull it open for her, "These are such wonderful people, aren't they?" And I gave thanks to the God who gives little abandoned boys these reservoirs of childlike joy that go on to bless us all.
God bless you, Toby Wolff.
"Fearlessness in those without power is maddening to those who have it."