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Secrets of an Old Typewriter: Stories from a Smart and Sassy Small Town Girl
Anyone who has ever lived in a small town certainly knows that secrets are sometimes not so secret.
Susie Duncan Sexton has lived her entire life in a small town—indeed, in the same house where she grew up. As an adult, she taught at the same grammar school that she attended as a child, and many of the relationships she cultivated while growing up, including her marriage, have endured over the years. Always one to document the present and offer her sometimes unorthodox ideas and opinions, Susie Duncan Sexton has tickled the keys of her trusty old typewriter for nearly five decades, and now that venerable machine is ready to reveal its secrets.
This book may be about small town life, but the ideas contained within it are expansive. The written accounts of the life of a ‘smart and sassy small town girl’ are as urbane as those of any city dweller. From ’50s and ’60s nostalgia to modern-day values, and from the drama and insight of America’s great books and motion pictures to politics, religion and animal rights, Susie Duncan Sexton’s ‘secrets’ always hit the mark with unexpected candor and a unique perspective.
Susie Duncan Sexton has lived her entire life in a small town—indeed, in the same house where she grew up. As an adult, she taught at the same grammar school that she attended as a child, and many of the relationships she cultivated while growing up, including her marriage, have endured over the years. Always one to document the present and offer her sometimes unorthodox ideas and opinions, Susie Duncan Sexton has tickled the keys of her trusty old typewriter for nearly five decades, and now that venerable machine is ready to reveal its secrets.
This book may be about small town life, but the ideas contained within it are expansive. The written accounts of the life of a ‘smart and sassy small town girl’ are as urbane as those of any city dweller. From ’50s and ’60s nostalgia to modern-day values, and from the drama and insight of America’s great books and motion pictures to politics, religion and animal rights, Susie Duncan Sexton’s ‘secrets’ always hit the mark with unexpected candor and a unique perspective.
- GenresNonfiction
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2011
2 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Susie Duncan Sexton
2 books146 followersSusie Duncan Sexton grew up in a very small town, Columbia City, Indiana. After graduating twelfth in her class at Ball State University (winning the first ever John R. Emens award for “most outstanding senior”), she returned to her hometown where she has worked as a teacher, a publicist, a museum curator, and a health lecturer.
She currently writes monthly columns "Old Type Writer" for a popular local blog Talk of the Town and "Homeward Angle" for the Columbia City Post and Mail newspaper. She has been a frequent contributor to the literary journal "Moronic Ox," and her poetry was selected by poet Charles Michael Madigan and by Wayne State professor M.L. Liebler to be featured in "Poetic Resonance Imaging: Behind the Door." She also has been featured in Our USA, Writing Raw, Where Writers Write, The Image Of, and InD'tale magazines. Her books Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its sequel Misunderstood Gargoyles & Overrated Angels are currently available in paperback (as well as download formats) at www.open-bks.com, www.amazon.com, and www.susieduncansexton.com. Her son Roy Sexton recently published his first book of film, theatre, music, and pop culture essays, Reel Roy Reviews, Vol. 1: Keepin’ It Real (www.reelroyreviews.com).
Describing her work, Susie says, “I willingly share nostalgic trips to the past as I have now achieved such an old age that no one remains who can question the authenticity of my memory of places, people and events that were very much never what they were cracked up to be.”
Always an observer of events and human traits, Susie Duncan Sexton offers without apology her thoughts and observations as they are and once were, and fitting her persona into pigeonholes is impossible. “I have searched for the 'We of Me' since toddler days and have always come up wanting,” she says, “though I trust that in my next life I shall finally have figured out how to make this world a better place full of tolerance and inclusiveness and understanding for all forms of life.”
She currently writes monthly columns "Old Type Writer" for a popular local blog Talk of the Town and "Homeward Angle" for the Columbia City Post and Mail newspaper. She has been a frequent contributor to the literary journal "Moronic Ox," and her poetry was selected by poet Charles Michael Madigan and by Wayne State professor M.L. Liebler to be featured in "Poetic Resonance Imaging: Behind the Door." She also has been featured in Our USA, Writing Raw, Where Writers Write, The Image Of, and InD'tale magazines. Her books Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its sequel Misunderstood Gargoyles & Overrated Angels are currently available in paperback (as well as download formats) at www.open-bks.com, www.amazon.com, and www.susieduncansexton.com. Her son Roy Sexton recently published his first book of film, theatre, music, and pop culture essays, Reel Roy Reviews, Vol. 1: Keepin’ It Real (www.reelroyreviews.com).
Describing her work, Susie says, “I willingly share nostalgic trips to the past as I have now achieved such an old age that no one remains who can question the authenticity of my memory of places, people and events that were very much never what they were cracked up to be.”
Always an observer of events and human traits, Susie Duncan Sexton offers without apology her thoughts and observations as they are and once were, and fitting her persona into pigeonholes is impossible. “I have searched for the 'We of Me' since toddler days and have always come up wanting,” she says, “though I trust that in my next life I shall finally have figured out how to make this world a better place full of tolerance and inclusiveness and understanding for all forms of life.”
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 5, 2011
A child of the 1940's and '50's, Sexton aptly describes her autobiographical stories as 'sassy.' She visits various topics as a senior citizen looking back through her personal history, colored at times by old TV shows, movies and song lyric references. There are few political comments and little political bias. She is a vegan and animal lover. Her treatment of religion will no doubt be considered irreverent by fundamentalists, but she calls it like she sees it and as a free-thinker, lifts up the hypocrisy of time-honored conventions. The writing is sporadic at times, morphing into poetry on occasion, sentence fragments and stream-of-consciousness narrative. I was reminded of Vonnegut as I read this relatively short book, at times poignant, scathing, and compassionate. It is worth a second read sometime in the future.
This was an eBook copy submitted in exchange for an honest review.
This was an eBook copy submitted in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2012
When I began reading Secrets of an Old Typewriter by Susie Duncan Sexton I found myself not wanting to like this book, but as I read a few of the stories I became hooked on the author's unique and out-front perspective on everyday events as well as 'big' issues. Susie Sexton makes no apologies for having been 'around the block' and draws from her experiences over seven decades to color in the chiaroscuro of the American Experience. Not like this book? Quite the contrary. I am now a big fan of Susie Duncan Sexton and hope to see more of her down-to-earth writing in the future.
August 1, 2013
This review is from: Secrets of an Old Typewriter: Stories from a Smart and Sassy Small Town Girl (Paperback)
This book is a true testament to what it like to live in a small town. The author starts the story a few years before when I was born, but in small towns things don't change very rapidly. Since I grew up in a small town, I can totally relate to the author's ramblings about living in the protected shell of a small town. If you have never lived in one, you might find it hard to believe that so many people would get worked up over minor things like movies, but it is soooo true.
The author attacks the description of the small town and the time line through it with gusto. At times it seems she uses entirely too many words to describe some situations. That may be the case in a larger township, but by using her wordy descriptions, she is remaining true to her roots from a small town. Everything that happens there is an adventure and worth the enthusiasm of extra wordiness to describe it.
This is a fun and wordy romp through one person's eyes of what it was like to grow up and live in a small town. It was very true to form to what I remember the way of life was like. It brought back a lot of memories for me. There were quite a few stories strung together to make up this book. It flowed nicely and was quite enjoyable. The author made good use of the assortment of old typewriters. I was gifted this book for an honest review. I thank the author for sharing it with me.
This book is a true testament to what it like to live in a small town. The author starts the story a few years before when I was born, but in small towns things don't change very rapidly. Since I grew up in a small town, I can totally relate to the author's ramblings about living in the protected shell of a small town. If you have never lived in one, you might find it hard to believe that so many people would get worked up over minor things like movies, but it is soooo true.
The author attacks the description of the small town and the time line through it with gusto. At times it seems she uses entirely too many words to describe some situations. That may be the case in a larger township, but by using her wordy descriptions, she is remaining true to her roots from a small town. Everything that happens there is an adventure and worth the enthusiasm of extra wordiness to describe it.
This is a fun and wordy romp through one person's eyes of what it was like to grow up and live in a small town. It was very true to form to what I remember the way of life was like. It brought back a lot of memories for me. There were quite a few stories strung together to make up this book. It flowed nicely and was quite enjoyable. The author made good use of the assortment of old typewriters. I was gifted this book for an honest review. I thank the author for sharing it with me.
December 8, 2011
Review based on ARC.
I'm feeling nostalgic these days and this book fit in with that mode. While I could not relate to the time of this book, I did enjoy learning about it. Sexton's style is easy and conversational, though not as polished as I have become accustomed to. However, the style of the author - in its somewhat clumsy, completely accessible, old-lady-next-door way, was endearing and comforting.
Coming from a relatively "small town" (not this small) myself, and having been raised to appreciate Soda Jerks and Otis Redding, after spending over a decade out in the real world, this was a welcome saunter down simplicity.
I can understand why many were frustrated with the book. The plot is less a plot and more a series of memories, the writing style is basic, and the references do not always involve the younger reader in its import. However, I think if you take the book as a series of conversations with your grandma or neighbor, it becomes enjoyable and sweet.
I recommend. It will more likely appeal to older readers who can relate to the period and the mentality -- and many younger, more impatient readers will have difficulty staying focused. But if you're looking for that simple little break, pick it up and read a chapter or two...
(note: I was born in the late 70s)
I'm feeling nostalgic these days and this book fit in with that mode. While I could not relate to the time of this book, I did enjoy learning about it. Sexton's style is easy and conversational, though not as polished as I have become accustomed to. However, the style of the author - in its somewhat clumsy, completely accessible, old-lady-next-door way, was endearing and comforting.
Coming from a relatively "small town" (not this small) myself, and having been raised to appreciate Soda Jerks and Otis Redding, after spending over a decade out in the real world, this was a welcome saunter down simplicity.
I can understand why many were frustrated with the book. The plot is less a plot and more a series of memories, the writing style is basic, and the references do not always involve the younger reader in its import. However, I think if you take the book as a series of conversations with your grandma or neighbor, it becomes enjoyable and sweet.
I recommend. It will more likely appeal to older readers who can relate to the period and the mentality -- and many younger, more impatient readers will have difficulty staying focused. But if you're looking for that simple little break, pick it up and read a chapter or two...
(note: I was born in the late 70s)
January 26, 2012
Review: Secrets of an Old Typewriter – Susie Duncan Sexton
This book was a story of life, written in journal form. I usually like reading books written in this form. However, this one was written in such a sporadic way, that I could not get through it. The writing is like someone on Ritalin. The author speaks in sentence fragments and run on sentences and is hyperactive the entire way through. Here is an example:
“August calendars about to be ripped off, September demands textbook expenditures, back-to-school clothes, and supplies. No longer do affordable spiral notebooks, No. 2 pencils, and rulers send parents to local downtown 5 & 10 cent stores. Laptops for everyone regardless of the financial burdens which that expectation may cause. Pull out those credit cards for Best Buy cashiers to scan.”
I could not finish it. I give it a 2 out of 5.
This book was a story of life, written in journal form. I usually like reading books written in this form. However, this one was written in such a sporadic way, that I could not get through it. The writing is like someone on Ritalin. The author speaks in sentence fragments and run on sentences and is hyperactive the entire way through. Here is an example:
“August calendars about to be ripped off, September demands textbook expenditures, back-to-school clothes, and supplies. No longer do affordable spiral notebooks, No. 2 pencils, and rulers send parents to local downtown 5 & 10 cent stores. Laptops for everyone regardless of the financial burdens which that expectation may cause. Pull out those credit cards for Best Buy cashiers to scan.”
I could not finish it. I give it a 2 out of 5.
February 14, 2014
As unbiased as I can be... Like a great record album it is perfectly sequenced. I have read all of these multiple times and I kept reading wanting to know what was next. It feels like a conversation with Susie - intelligent, profound, funny, heartbreaking, enlightening.
I love the turn it takes after the first third when nostalgia through a modern lens gives way to postmodern social critique, signaling a seismic shift from comforting sepia to brazen technicolor. Exhilarating and shocking and authentic. A fully realized being laying bare every influence
I love the turn it takes after the first third when nostalgia through a modern lens gives way to postmodern social critique, signaling a seismic shift from comforting sepia to brazen technicolor. Exhilarating and shocking and authentic. A fully realized being laying bare every influence
June 29, 2012
Usually when I dislike a book, I neglect it a few days and then go back to it to find I like it better. That did not happen. I never finished this book no matter how many times I tried. I found it boring and disorganized.
September 29, 2013
Secrets of an Old Typewriter by Susie Duncan Sexton is a book of short stories about the author's life and experiences in a small town. The stories are amusing and honest, and by the time I finished the book, I felt like I knew Susie. This is definitely a great read!
January 5, 2014
Was very good at first but went downhill fast.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews