Abstract:
Peter VanNest grew up in a religious and somewhat dysfunctional family during World War II. In later life, he recalls some of the incidents from his late elementary and junior high years, reflecting on how he seemed to have a penchant for getting into trouble. His talent for innocently blundering into misadventure is both amusing and thought-provoking. He ruminates about religion, shares his curiosity about sex, gets into trouble with the family car, and acts out his fascination with fire. Each of the 15 stories, which are recounted with humor and sensitivity, will take you back to your own early years, and make you grateful that you survived your youthful indiscretions.