Ghostbox: A Memoir

by Walter R. Jacobs

Two years after Walter R. Jacobs was forced to call his new stepmother "Mom," she cancelled what would have been his 13th Christmas. In the memoir Ghostbox Jacobs explores a life where family problems are blamed on "disrespectful" children who refused to accept "Mom's" authority. His stepmother is a "sociological ghost," a force that limited his thoughts and decisions until he filled a special shoebox with objects that evoke significant good, bad, and ugly. This "ghostbox" has rendered his stepmother's seething presence benign. Jacobs investigates how just a relatively short stay in his stepmother's house (seven years with his stepmother, father, and younger brother) led to almost twenty years of questions about multiple facets of his identity, such as the proper rules and rhythms of life as an African-American college professor. In the end, he finds the key to finally and completely breaking away from the dysfunctions that threatened his self-esteem and ability to interact normally with others. Jacobs includes an appendix of guidelines readers may use to create their own ghostboxes. He invites readers into a world where they can reflect on troubling aspects of their lives, and create strategies for making empowering changes.

Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Dean of the College of Social Sciences at San José State University.

Reviews

[Jen Mein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a memoir of someone whom I have actually met in person is a new experience for me. I was quickly drawn in because parts of his past reminded me of my own. I felt humbled to be a witness to the emotional journey he was on while writing his stories. I guess I should have expected that I would take a little journey of my own while reading this memoir. I finished the book a couple hours ago and my mind is flooded with memories and I am wondering if I have any talisman to put into a Ghostbox...

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the honesty in this memoir, and the way the feelings were expressed with humor. It's the kind of topic that could have come off as angry, but while there is valid anger about the unfairness of what happened to Walter during his childhood, the writing is more exploratory and experimental. The book ended with resolution, but I have a feeling he has yet more to say. I hope to read more from Walter Jacobs in the near future.

[Paul Zerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned much about dealing with the personal ghosts from our past that we all face. A well and honestly written memoir.