Oh to be a kid again

There are memoirs and there are autobiographies, but there are few books quite like West of Goose Island: A Chicago Story by Richard S. Post. There is not some overarching meaning to the vignettes he offers of his childhood in Chicago, not great life lesson to be learned. Nor is this a detailed recreation of his childhood. No, this author is after something else, something better, to make us, his readers, part of the experience, to take us into the world of his childhood.

The Second World War had just ended, and the author’s family had moved back to Chicago – a family business in Florida having failed. They had to live with relatives and Rich’s father had to start over. What could have been terrible times become in this talented writer’s hands the explorations of a boy trying to understand his world. There are nuns (Catholic schools), Christmas decorations, Easter feasts, summer camp, the Y, and the wonderful world of building things out of boxes. This is a feast of childhood as it once was.

While Rich’s own family is originally from Poland, this is a universal story of American first and second-generation children. If you loved your childhood, you will assuredly enjoy sharing Rich Post’s. (reviewed by Kenneth Weene – co-host)

http://www.amazon.com/West-Goose-Isla...