LOVED. This is a memoir about a prominent surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, his descent into alcoholism and insanity and the effect that it had on his six sons and wife.
A fairly grim tale, but this book (and this family) is so full of dark humor that it makes the story incredibly compelling. Sullivan, an advertising man, writes wonderfully--compact and perfectly hilarious. It's also a really interesting look at domestic life in the 60s and a fascinating look at troubled family life. Many, many laugh-out loud, 'I can't believe he wrote that' moments. There's so much packed into this book: growing up as a nerd, growing up with older and younger brothers, growing up in the 60s--not to mention the complicated relationship with his father, his parents' relationship, and his father's relationship with alcohol and so much more.
This book is eminently quotable--the kind of book I'd like to buy just to highlight my favorite lines (if I was the kind of person who wrote freely in books). I love what Sullivan writes about how people of talent often get a free pass to be obnoxious alcoholics, musing that it's probably been that way since caveman times:
"Some mead-guzzling schmuck named Thog probably did a great cave drawing and then spent the rest of his life barfing on the saber-toothed tiger rug and crying, "Village not understand Thog." (p. 242)
And on scaring little brothers:
"At the top of the food chain was our oldest brother, Kip. He was an Eagle Scout. And given his proficiency at scaring the bejesus out of me, he must have had a merit badge somewhere, one embroidered with the icon of a fifth grader and Jesus bursting out of his chest." (p. 150)
And for a book that starts off with the main character dead, the ending still packs a punch. Interspersed with Sullivan's own remembrances are snippets from his brother's diaries, his mother's letters, and records from his father's doctors. Even the occasional photographs are carefully chosen and interspersed beautifully. Just wonderful.
