'This Boy's Life' by Tobias Wolff follows the life of the author from about age 8 to about age 18, showcasing his travels with his mother from the east to the west coast, constantly falling into worse circumstances. The memoir delves into Wolff's tumultuous childhood, filled with struggles, misfortunes, and abusive relationships. The writing style is described as humorous, entertaining, and vivid, with a focus on detailing the dark and humorous events of Wolff's life growing up in the 1950s.
Wolff's memoir paints a candid portrait of a troubled childhood without sugar-coating the harsh realities he faced. The narrative captures the essence of Wolff's journey through various towns across the United States, where he encounters different adventures and life-altering experiences. The book is commended for its detailed storytelling, engaging plot, and the author's ability to reflect on his past with honesty and clarity.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for This Boy's Life include themes of childhood abuse, domestic violence, emotional trauma, and parental neglect.
From The Publisher:
The author of "The Barracks Thief" and "Hunters in the Snow" recreates his boyhood experiences, relating how he and his mother travelled throughout the United States, and tracing his experiences and changes from young boy to manhood against the background of a violent and wildly optimistic America.
Ratings (4)
Loved It (3) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (10):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (3) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
I liked this book and I didn't like this book and it's hard to say why exactly. The reading was fast and entertaining. However, I never felt connected to the author and when it ended I felt as if nothing had actually happened. I guess I kept waiting for the coming-of-age moment and it never occurred. The characters were interesting though and I was left wanting to find out what ended up happening to the author later in life.
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About the Author:
Tobias Wolff, the author of This Boy's Life, is also the author of several story collections and two other memoirs, including In Pharaoh's Army, a finalist for the National Book Award, and the novel The Barracks Thief, which won the 1985 Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction. He lives with his family in California.
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