The Boys of My Youth

Like a flashback, Jo Ann Beard's collection of short stories takes you back in time. My favorite story is "Cousins" and is about two best-friend cousins. At an outdoor Eric Clapton concert the girls ingest a mild hallucinogen and discover pieces of their childhood in the quilt spread on the ground. One girl feels her halter top is coming off. When she looks at her cousin she is "cupping clouds." Moments later her cousin says, "The clouds are cupping me now," and she wants someone to "Get them off." Beard writes, "A guy on the blanket next to us tries to hand me a joint. I can't take it because I'm holding my chest. He looks at me, looks at Wendell balled up on the ground, and nods knowingly. 'Bummer,' he proclaims." With an exquisite eye for detail and lots of humor, Jo Ann Beard inspires memories of laughter and friendship and the heartache of youth that is never matched in later life. Upon completion of this book, you will find yourself thanking Jo Ann Beard for taking you back to that magical place in time. "The Boys of My Youth" is worth reading and re-reading and sharing with your best friends.

The Boys of My Youth makes it crystal clear that an ordinary life may be at times overflowing with extraordinary drama. Through Beard's fine writing and descriptive skilly, she shows that the typical days of her life are loaded with drama, humor, and pathos. The book is a loose collection of vignettes spanning the author's 60's childhood and flows into her early adulthood. The title, however (as well as the jacket cover), is misleading. One might expect sexual initiation and experimentation to play a large role. The Boys of My Youth, however, is more about the LACK of boys in her youth - and the importance of having a good friend. Wonderful, wonderful book. Buy it.

Not only do I agree with all of the other positive reviews as to Beard's uncanny ability to put us in her present, I have to say that Jo Ann Beard's use of language is some of the best I have ever read. As a writer, I am envious of her ability to be so clear, concise and poignant. I was amazed by this book on many levels. The underlined, highlighted, exclamation-pointed copy I will keep attests to that!

This is a terrific book! I read it right after it was published and have recently read it again enjoying it even more the second time. It appears very obvious that the previous glut of "one star" ratings are actually the work of one single individual posing as many. Notice that the reviews are basically the same and they are all from "a reader in..." (fill in the blank), usually from somewhere in New York. Too, they were all written within days and weeks of each other. Certainly, a person is entitled to his/her opinion but to pull a stunt like that shows a sick immaturity and apparent jealousy. It makes me both mad and sad to see this. I want to say, "Grow up already, okay!?" I thoroughly enjoy the writing of Jo Ann Beard and cannot wait for more from her. Keep up the great work!