The story deals with many issues of past pain and is extremely well told. I found the style interesting and captivating. Mann explores the many regrets that most of us hold onto over what we always should have done better or possibly not at all. Life is full of decisions that in retrospect should have been avoided. The issues of coming to terms with your sexuality and what are you truly responsibile for as you grow up, are also explored in this sometimes painful story of Wally's life. I recommend this story to all.

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The book has a lot of likeable characters. It also deals with child molestation in a rather interesting way. If a teen actively seeks sex from an adult and has an ongoing loving relationship is this wrong. This is one of the issues the author deals with in an open, unapologetic way.

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Not a book for those who need definitive answers. To the contrary, the book really explores the space between what we believe or remember, and what is the truth. Is the truth out there? The main character, Walter, is similar to Jeff in Mann's other book (The Men From The Boys) in that he often acts like a jerk but still seems to be surrounded by people who love and support him. Walter in particular was blessed by mentors in his small town upbringing, from stage actress Josephine Leopold to the local transgendered woman Miss Aletha, not to mention Zandy his first lover, the real reason he returns home for a visit. Also like TMFTB the book has an experimental narrative form, usually written in present tense. It was most interesting around the middle when the vampires showed up. (No, that's not a joke!)

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