Customer Reviews

I Love You, Miss Huddleston: And Other Inappropriate Longings of My Indiana Childhood

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Philip Gulley can definitely make you laugh out loud with this book. Back in the 1970's when we were "free range children" and allowed to have a childhood, life was much more interesting. Granted, your mom would know your indiscretions before you even hit the back door, but that was the price you paid for having fun.

Gulley tells his tales, he admits that these are the parts that he remembers and that's what he is sticking with, of living in Indiana and that it was pretty much heaven on earth even with the flannel graphs in Sunday school. Maybe that is why this good Catholic boy became a Quaker minister.

Hysterically funny from beginning to end, Gully takes us through his growing up years in short story vignettes pretty much in the same venue as Robert Fulgrum. Gully introduces us to his band of compadres who never seem to have real names, but make life all the more interesting.

And who knew that shooting a can of bug spray is pretty much the equivalent of an Indiana farms Atom Bomb.

Years ago I read both 'Hometown Tales', and 'Front Porch Tales' and absolutely loved them. This latest book of short stories was no different. Mr Gulley has become my 'Master of Main Street'! Every time I picked up this book, I was transported to a simpler time, a place where I would love to have grown up, or have my son grow up. Heck, I even googled Danville, In, tried (unsuccessfully) to convince my husband to retire early from the Navy, and pack up and move to this sweet little town I have never been to!

It was strange though, to read this book from the perspective of a mother. Had I read this a few short years ago, I'd have laughed and shook my head at the crazy antics of young boys...now, however, I found myself saying (to no one in particular)...'Where's you bike helmet??', 'Omg, he's gonna lose an eye!', 'Are these kids INSANE?!?! They're never gonna live to see 20?!' (and I'm only 28!). Also, I just love Mr. Gulley's dry sense of humor. He's funny without trying to be, and he embellishes his stories just enough so you get the gist of what happened, but with a little added amusement thrown in.

I DEFINITELY recommend this book, and any other Gulley book you may be interested in. He's a great storyteller, and it's an absolute joy to read his books. Pull up a rocking chair, grab a sweet tea, and be transported to a time when kids were rough and tumble, bike riding, knee-scraping kids.

Philip Gulley grew up in Danville, Indiana, a town where he currently lives with his wife and sons and where he serves a Quaker church. This book chronicles the coming-of-age adventures of this young Midwestern boy who grew up in the 70's with a sister and 3 brothers. It includes adventures with friends, doing yard work for neighboring widow ladies, and dreary family vacations spent in "resorts" owned by his father's bug spray company. He writes a disclaimer at the beginning of the book which admits to tendencies on his part to exaggerate his childhood adventures just a bit. This is a book for gentle laughter and the remembrance of one's own childhood before computers, video games, and Little League took over the lives of our children.

but parts of this book are a 3-star and parts are a 5-star. I am a HUGE Philip Gulley fan and buy everything he publishes in hardback since I read it multiple times. When I am old and gray, I will still be re-reading his Harmony series and his various porch tales books. That being said, this is my least favorite of his publications.

The first 50 pages were largely vintage Gulley - dry wit, keen observations, etc. as he chronicles growing up in Central Indiana in the 1960s. Living in the small town of Danville, Indiana he talks about life during a time when doors weren't locked, neighbors took care of neighbors and the sweetness of a slower pace. Somewhere shortly after that he seems to spend a large part of the book fascinated with naked girls, pictures of naked girls and male body parts. The childhood pranks he relates come off as more mean than funny with one or two of them being downright dangerous. I failed to see the humor in all of that -- just seemed juvenile. Since I am a fan I decided to stick with it and continue reading and I'm glad I did. The last portion was totally Gulley's great writing and laugh-out-loud funny.

The first and last sections of the book were a 5 for me with the middle being (generously) a 3. Overall an enjoyable read, but not one I will savor over the years -- a one-time read only.

If you loved the movie A Christmas Story (and who dosen't?), you'll love I Love You Miss Huddleston... It is positively hilarious, and entertaining. I couldn't stop laughing. It takes you back to a kinder, gentler America. It's a wonderful memoir of childhood in the 70's. I highly recommend this wonderful, nostaligic, entertaining book to anyone who enjoys Nostalgia, and Americana. This book has done for literature what A Christmas Story did for the movies.

Philip Gulley is one of the most talented writers of his time. This book takes one back to the 60's and smalltown Indiana, a simpler time. The stories are funny and poignant and appropriate reading for all ages. A great addition to my collection of Philip's writings!

I've been reading Philip Gulley's Harmony books for a few years now, then saw this autobiography. It's very entertaining, and is a fast read.

I was a bit disapointed in this book. It seemed like Philip Gulley wasn't at his best when writing this one. It seemed to lack the funniness of most his books. It just wasn't what I hoped for.

Philip Gulley is a genius. His tales of childhood are hilarious and touching and very believable. Anyone looking for a light-hearted, fun read or who enjoyed the Harmony series has got to buy this book.

This is a delightful book. It's funny, true to life, and well written. I would highly recommend it for a great, light read.