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Childish Things: A Journey From And To Innocence
Astonishing. Searingly honest with plenty of drama it is the true story of a young life led that promised much, delivered more that could ever have been envisaged until the bottom fell out of the author’s world.
From the realms of high finance and a chance encounter with the President to the comedic pathos of the participation in a football tournament, as an inpatient of a psychiatric facility.
After a lengthy period flat out on the canvas of life, our pugilist in all but name, gets back into the ring and makes another attempt, successful again, to prove you can’t keep a good man down.
If only that were the end of the story. But there’s a sting in the tail that brings readers up short. The lesson: it really is a good idea to make the most of every day granted to you.
Tom Reiss professes to know less and less about life as he poignantly, and with good humour, reflects upon his own.
Reiss’s mastery of storytelling through his melodic prose gently guides the reader through the most compelling of lives.
Quintessentially, this is a beautiful memoir by a truly remarkable man.
From the realms of high finance and a chance encounter with the President to the comedic pathos of the participation in a football tournament, as an inpatient of a psychiatric facility.
After a lengthy period flat out on the canvas of life, our pugilist in all but name, gets back into the ring and makes another attempt, successful again, to prove you can’t keep a good man down.
If only that were the end of the story. But there’s a sting in the tail that brings readers up short. The lesson: it really is a good idea to make the most of every day granted to you.
Tom Reiss professes to know less and less about life as he poignantly, and with good humour, reflects upon his own.
Reiss’s mastery of storytelling through his melodic prose gently guides the reader through the most compelling of lives.
Quintessentially, this is a beautiful memoir by a truly remarkable man.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 21, 2020
A slightly biased rating, as I know the author and am cited as one of those who helped to save his life. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tom for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the book, as much as I’ve enjoyed his company and conversations over the years. The book is honest, insightful, and a powerful message for those who think that homelessness and addiction only happen to ‘other’ people. My only criticism is that Tom takes too little credit for saving his own life. He simply needed some help to realise that it was worth saving.
July 28, 2020
This is an incredible true story of how someone can succeed spectacularly in life only to lose everything and sink into an abyss of drink, drugs, mental health issues and homelessness. You would think that surely there is no way back, but you would be wrong.
The description above merely scratches the surface of this life story, but there is a further kick in the teeth, just when it seems all is well in the world again. You need to read this book although I am not sure you will believe it.
The description above merely scratches the surface of this life story, but there is a further kick in the teeth, just when it seems all is well in the world again. You need to read this book although I am not sure you will believe it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews