“Poignant, zany, and at times tragic, Hughes' story is a hyper observant travelogue of a life lived in full--and perhaps, out of control. And, naturally, there are hookers involved as well as a first heart attack at age 50 (in which no hookers are involved). "
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Through vignette-style recollections, Hughes shares entertaining, and sometimes intense, snippets of his childhood into late adulthood. Whether recounting youthful pranks or heart procedures, he opens up to readers in an effort to dispense life lessons and piquant observations.
Prose: The prose is unadorned and compact, similar to the memoir’s pacing, and Hughes writes with a youthful, refreshing voice that will immediately engage readers.
Originality: Hughes’s stories are wholly original to his own experiences, offering readers an intriguing slice of his life and its resultant moments of enlightenment.
Character/Execution: Hughes’s witty style affords his stories a spirit of cheer and buoyancy, with clever observations sprinkled throughout. He develops his revelations subtly, but readers will connect with his easy delivery and sensible musings.
Date Submitted: January 19, 2024
Ever since he was a kid, the Long Island–raised Hughes had a way of putting himself into uncomfortable situations. From getting arrested for breaking into the equipment shed at the nearby Girl Scouts camp to finding himself the target of a high school friend’s mother’s amorous advances, Hughes learned early on that situations can escalate quickly. This collection of short essays includes strange, funny, and poignant stories, including the author’s college summer job sailing on an oil tanker, his cocaine-filled bartender days gallivanting around New York City, and his oddly frequent run-ins with celebrities...
