By Lisa Boss, Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Branch
“Many of my childhood memories are of metals…”. Has there ever been a better first sentence since, “Call me Ishmael.”? The opening line from Dr. Sacks’ childhood memoir boils down everything I love about his books. They’re so open, honest– written in prose that’s a pure joy to read, and yet mysterious, suggesting a mind that operates on a whole different level than mine. His books are often enlightening and captivating, as he works with patients with complex neurological conditions. There’s also a certain emotional and personal connection forged, since he doesn’t hesitate to use his own experiences to illustrate some of the conditions.
So I was very excited to see what a book of his boyhood memories would be. Published in 2001, it’s the type of memoir that I can re-read every few years, without any decrease in enjoyment. From the opening sentence to the last chapter, the author demonstrates the unusual personality and creativity that one discovers in all his books.
Born in London in 1933, to parents who were both doctors, Oliver was the youngest of four, and he grew up surrounded by an extraordinary extended family. Life was paradise until the war, when he was sent away (at six!) to an unbelievably cruel boarding school for four years. When he returned home at ten, the deprivation and abuse had changed him. Recognizing this, his family encouraged his passion for chemistry, and his “Uncle Tungsten” became his mentor.
To read about his passion for re-creating the historical discoveries in chemistry, the incredible leeway that his family afforded him in his pursuits, and the odd and beautiful discoveries that he made; it’s not just a book about the author, it’s illuminating the joy that learning can bring. Thoughtful, caring, funny, and one of the most entertaining memoirs I’ve yet to read.
