An Open Book

Coming of Age in the Heartland

By: Michael Dirda

Narrated by: Jonathan Hogan

Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Dirda shares his love for all literature - novels, comic books, poetry, even erotica - in this humorous memoir of his childhood.

Growing up in a bluecollar, Midwestern household of the 50s and 60s, Dirda appalled his father with his insatiable thirst for reading. His humorous remembrances of the works he loved will spark the interest of anyone who savors a good story.

©2003 Michael Dirda (P)2008 Recorded Books

Engrossing and charming memoir

This is a memoir of growing up in a mid western factory town -- and of being a book lover in a mid western factory town. Michael Dirda's father was a factory worker and his mother stayed at home. Dirda shows how these two ordinary yet remarkable people were both very human and utterly heroic in their devotion to the family. The account of how young Michael fell in love with reading is hilarious and poignant and inspiring. I absolutely loved this book.

The narrator is perfect for this story.

Pure pleasure. Wish it were twice as long.