This Boy's Life
Compared to the other memoirs I have read,this is the only one that seemed most realistic. Wolff conveyed a certain sincerity throughout the book, this is things he included in the book, all the cursing as well as all the boring details.
I must say I did not really find the book exciting, it took me weeks to complete it.I think Wolff included too much details, certain situations the the reader just does not need to know.
Tobias' mother was a weak character she allowed Dwight to abuse her both physically and verbally, she would leave him for a period of time but managed to find herself going back to him. I think she must have felt that she was in love and was devoted to him. But that was not true love.At one point she even started to make excuses for Dwight.When he stole Tobias' money, she said " it's probably a little my fault too."I am not an expert on relationships but I know never make excuses for a man.I also think that as a parent she did not defend her son enough, she often sided with Dwight or just let him treat her son anyhow.Dwight is cold to Tobias "how he used to stay up late counting all the pieces of candy in he house to see how many I had eaten that day."
I believed Arthur was a true friend to Tobias." I told no one but Arthur my secrets even when I betrayed his."At least Tobias admits he is a bad friend.Tobias was a liar and a cheater. He stole things and often lied to many people.On the other hand he had a positive attitude that I admired.Like whenever he had a swim meet." "I always got bumped. But I started every meet believing that I was going to win, and ended it believing that I have won, that I was the best swimmer there".At least he never gave up.
At one point in the book I thought Tobias was ambitious, until he dropped out of school. I think that he was a guy that got great opportunities but did not give a damn. If you can't figure out what you want out of life, who is going to figure it out for you?
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