5 Star Review for Scribbling

The latest review is in from Online Book Club.

Are you interested in a memoir of an English major turned attorney turned author? Would you enjoy a unique memoir that includes excerpts like letters, cartoons, and essays? Do you wish to join the author as he takes us down memory lane through the storage units?

Then you will enjoy reading Scribblings from Storage: The Confessions of an English Major by Charles Francis Guittard. In this memoir, the author portrays his growth from adolescence to adulthood, showing the various struggles and successes he experienced. He details his life journey as he transitions from high school to college to become a trial attorney, mediator, teacher, and coach. Most of the memoir focuses on his life at Baylor University and Southern Methodist University Law School.

In the beginning, the author provides a list of definitions for terms like “bridge” “debate”and “situational irony.” I loved the poem titled “Storage.” He then shares his inspiration behind this memoir—the temperature-controlled rental storage unit facilities that contain his various artifacts, like early writings, photos, cartoons, and report cards.

The author talks about his inherited aptitudes, and I found his hopeless aptitudes funny. He also shares his love for cartooning, writing, playing bridge, playing ping-pong, and debating. The essay,”The Whistles of a Wolf” was humorous and intriguing. Then, the authors identity crisis during his school and college life is highlighted.

Following that, we read various letters between the author and his family from 1960 to 1963 while he was in college. The letters show how much his family supported him. I especially loved the letters between him and his father, which might have looked preachy, but his father’s admirable care and love are evident throughout. It was heartwarming to read the author’s analysis of his father sharing his golfing progress reports through letters. The author’ s discussion about his career choices with his father through letters also touched my heart. The letters made me reminisce about the old days when we used to write letters.

The author’s ‘permanent records;” like photos, report cards, articles, newspaper clippings, and scout certificates, are featured next. I loved them, as they provided a visual glimpse into his life. Various details about the town of Waco presented in the book were interesting.

While I was saddened to read abou “Immortal 10”; I was fascinated by the secret group NoZe.

Reading about the authors pranks and protests was enjoyable, especially his protests against the play. I smiled when the author noted that he couldn't fight the urge to prank even after decades. Reading the prank letters made me wish to try some harmless prank letters myself.

The author faced many crises, like dating, lack of confidence, belief in Christianity, and career choice, which I believe many can relate to.

The author also expresses how he felt he had wasted his time while studying. It resonated with me, as I, too, had thought like that. Furthermore, like the author, I have also experienced a “fast heart spell.” While the letters during the European trip impressed me, his early dating experiences felt funny and a little pathetic.

I really enjoyed the author’s opening and closing conversations with his four grandchildren, called The Peanut Gallery, which were funny and interesting. I was fascinated to learn that the author is over 80 years old.

The authors writing style is comprehensive and easy to follow, with humor here and there. Some technical legal terms are present, but none are too difficult to understand. The illustrations by Amanda Hope Colborn were unique and complemented the memoir.

After each chapter, there is a storage unit section containing the relevant excerpts. The author’ comments, provided along with the excerpts, gave a different perspective on the excerpts. The comments made me feel that the author was right beside me, reading along.

I noted only minor errors, and I personally felt the length could have been reduced a bit. But these didn’t detract from my enjoyment and do not warrant a star deduction. There are no other dislikes, and I enjoyed this new way of writing a memoir, accompanied by artifacts from storage. The author;s hard work is noted throughout the book, showing how much he enjoys writing.

So, based on the reasons stated above, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy unique memoirs, especially about an English major. Readers interested in Baylor University or the town of Waco would find the book intriguing.

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Scribblings from Storage

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