A Clown in Cobwebs

by Walt Nelson

After a passionate date, Frank and Linda find that they will soon be parents. Frank is sent oversees with the marines, and Linda is left to face pregnancy out of wedlock in the late 1950s south alone. After they later marry, they have a son born with birth defects. Is this a punishment or a lesson? How should they care for this son?

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2019

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I’m a former student of the author, and have always appreciated his intellect and sense of humor. The book exceeded my expectations. The memoir is not only well written, but is educational on many levels. I could vividly picture the story as I read. It is a fascinating journey of life lessons, pain, joy, and hope. I highly recommend this book!

[Alec Belmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

After knowing this author for many years, it was very enlightening to get the stories about the events that made him who it is. I enjoyed the book, and felt that there were many beautifully poetic passages in it. He told me that this book was basically an autobiography, and it is, but it also seems to be the best way he had for dealing with the man that was his father. That relationship was written in such a way, that for much of the book I was viscerally mad at the monster. I hope that Walt recognizes that we are not the people are parents want us to be, and that I enjoy who he is. If I had only one complaint with the book as a whole (mostly because it was handed as an autobiography), I would have loved to hear more about his later life and his teaching. The last half of the book went by too quickly. Hopefully we will get a book some day that is a collection of his stories as a teacher, and maybe a bit more of his stories with his family. Thanks for the great read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transparency- this is a former beloved teacher of mine!
This book was heartbreaking, engaging, and full of “side eye” comments- almost in the style of the Office - the author is narrating the story with perfectly timed comments directly to the reader. What could have been a tale of bitterness and complaint- is really a story of choosing one’s own narrative and path for a less toxic future. I very much hope there is a sequel that fills in more about the second half of life for Walt.

[Cindy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was heart wrenching, inspiring and humorous - all at once. The book changed my heart. The author challenged my thinking. You will not be left unmoved, or unmotivated. Read this book.