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A review by brianisivever
¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer
4.0
I’m not a big memoir reader; mostly because I’ve imagined them an attempt to normalize life experiences most of us can’t relate to. But the openness and candor of this memoir makes it feel more like a therapy session (over a sting drink or twelve) with your friend.
Written as a series of essays formatted as advice columns the writer takes things we think we feel we can’t talk about openly; childhood trauma, random sexual encounters, shitty dating experiences, thoughts of self-harm, finding pleasure in the downfall of rivals, finding horror in seeing yourself as you fear the world sees you; and makes them sound as normal as your morning coffee because they are. It doesn’t disappoint and at times is an absolute delight.
I don’t imagine there are any of us who haven’t trekked back to our home town looking for the rabbit in the pebbled wall or drove by the plum door and reflected on love lost in the same or similar ways John Paul has. All of that makes this book feel lived in and real.
In all fairness the last few essays fell flat for me. But they are buoyed by the rest of this great collection.
Written as a series of essays formatted as advice columns the writer takes things we think we feel we can’t talk about openly; childhood trauma, random sexual encounters, shitty dating experiences, thoughts of self-harm, finding pleasure in the downfall of rivals, finding horror in seeing yourself as you fear the world sees you; and makes them sound as normal as your morning coffee because they are. It doesn’t disappoint and at times is an absolute delight.
I don’t imagine there are any of us who haven’t trekked back to our home town looking for the rabbit in the pebbled wall or drove by the plum door and reflected on love lost in the same or similar ways John Paul has. All of that makes this book feel lived in and real.
In all fairness the last few essays fell flat for me. But they are buoyed by the rest of this great collection.