Customer Reviews

Becoming

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wonderfully well written it paints a life picture at times through eyes of both humor and disappointment. I was reared in the rural south but this work transcends ethnic and geographic boundaries so that we can easily identify with Mitch, especially in his quest to lose his virginity. Mark's wit and great sense of humor comes through in a style that holds ones attention long after putting down his book. You just know this has to be Mark's story and that of those who experienced life with him. This is indeed a book worth reading for the sheer enjoyment of remembering the way we were and those people who made it interesting.

As one raised in a Chicago neighborhood around the same time Lichterman grew up in his, I found this coming-of-age novel very reminiscent of my own childhood and adolescence. However, to enjoy this book, one needn't be from Chicago (or Peoria, for that matter), nor a child of the same era. The scenes, characters, experiences, relationships, conversations and events in this book are vividly and brilliantly depicted in a way that will awaken fond, fearful, and passionate memories in the reader fortunate enough to acquire this gem of a book. It is a poignant, humorous and timeless tale that moves along at a satisfying pace.

I found myself wanting this book to end so much, yet I kept reading. There is certainly some great insight into the awakening of a boy on a journey to adulthood. The sexual obsession is described well, but it is the only real theme of this long story. While hitting the target describing a boy's awakening, I am pretty sure the author used mens magazines to do his research on adolescent girls. Some moments are touching, some are funny, and some are ridiculously implausible. I don't know what became of his best friend, but twice I get to hear about his adventure of defecating on a bird? Some interesting sub-plots are sidelined to make more room for the only real story here. The crescendo leads to; Can he get her to cuss? Will he ever get to...well if you must know, trudge your way to the end. I expect this first read from this author will be my last. Not terrible, but I wish I had invested this time in something else.

You just know the author either lived next door or maybe on the next block `cause
that's the way things were growing up in the late 30s, 40s and into the `50s. There was no TV showing "things" or a computer to "Google" what a boy needs to know. It was just day-to-day wonderment and exasperation to face.
The story was so close to my younger years that I started to bet myself that he would add other happenings of my life, and he sometimes did.
O! The fun, anger, bitter joys of your growing years that the author brought back.

Fantastic!!! I couldn't put the book down. The author has a way
of making you feel everything his characters are going through.
What a delightful trip through growing up when times were much
less threatening. I wish this would have been published when I
was growing up. Bonnie, Westlake Village

I realize that most people will enjoy the setting of the book, and that it will bring back memories, but this is actually a timeless subject. It's about growing up and, mainly, learning how the opposite sex -- boys -- deal with girls. But it's also learning that your parents are human. These subjects will go on till the end of time. Mark is very adept at revealing to women how their husbands and sons think. And it's nice to know that they are just as scared and inquisitive about us as we are about them.
Dona
Westlake Village, CA

Loved the book. It brought me back to an earlier
time and I loved being there as "a fly on the wall." I found it easy to empathize with Mitchell. He gave me great insight into "coming of age" from the prospective of a boy. I wish I could have read it when I was growing up...could have let me understand that those "cool" boys were just as insecure as I. A must for us old folks and certainly a good read for everyone!