I always think it’s a good sign when a book doesn’t take long for me to read and I can tell you honestly that I have rattled my way through this, enjoying myself along the way. It helps that it’s not a long book but it sure is packed – with wit, observations, confessions from start to finish. Its format too is designed to make the book accessible, being split into manageable chapters, all dealing with a different point, usually taken from Jason’s life.
The incidents vary, some being from childhood where he showed his precocious qualities by creating a neighbourhood newspaper and his own athletic games, through to more life-defining moments like being knocked off a bike and embracing fatherhood. Each chapter is a clearly defined discussion which draws on Jason’s experience, all described in Jason’s own distinct voice. And this is the strength of the book, Jason’s voice, because it is entertaining and funny and droll and dry and I found myself chuckling away in places at a turn of phrase or an observation and the way that it had all been put together.
There’s some serious life stuff here, the nuts and bolts, like close brushes with death and other unexpected life-altering swerve balls that threaten to push even the most balanced individual to teeter on life’s tightrope. It’s all related with humour although this doesn’t detract.
My favourite retelling is that of Miss Kelley, the music teacher and her generosity towards a pupil in giving him her coat for warmth. Of course, the focus is on the fact that she is a role model and a decent human being as teachers should be to their pupils; however, there is a twist to this tale and a lesson (excuse the pun!) to be learned and in this instance, it is not the pupil who is the recipient of the schooling! Very funny!
One thing to comment on is, in the synopsis, mention is made of undiagnosed generalized anxiety disorder being at the heart of this collection but I didn’t get “anxiety” from my reading; in fact, I read the synopsis before writing the review and was notionally surprised by this. That’s not to deny that to Jason Ramshaw, it is obviously one of the things that has shaped him, and whilst it may not have made his life easy, it has made it unique.
A good read.
Rachel Rating:
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC.
