Iwanski recalls growing up in the American Midwest in the 1960s and ‘70s in a series of graphic and unforgettable vignettes. Like the English diarist Samuel Pepys, he’s unsparing in portraying the less appealing aspects of his younger self—his abusiveness towards his first wife, his omnivorous sexuality—and it’s this sense of a fully developed and complex personality that makes the book endlessly absorbing. Iwanski’s quarrels with his father and his rejection of all authority take up much of the first half of the book. As he matures sexually, Iwanski enjoys both pre-marital and extra-marital exploits. A fling in a hotel with a girl named Suzy is interrupted when the police arrive to arrest her for stealing a car. Later, he has a Calypso-esque encounter with a rich woman named Maggie, who offers to become his patron. However, when Iwanski’s wife learns about Maggie, she sets fire to their bedsheets.

A vivid storytelling! Must read👍 Reading “Gravel Soldiers” by Terry Iwanski was a deeply moving experience for me. This memoir is not just a recounting of Terry’s life; it’s an invitation to walk alongside him as he navigates the complex and often painful shadows of his youth in St. Paul, Nebraska. I was immediately taken aback by Terry’s unvarnished honesty. He doesn’t back down from discussing difficult subjects, such as marital abuse, parental neglect, and the isolation that can result from growing up in a chaotic home. I could feel the weight of his experiences thanks to his vivid storytelling, and I began to feel sympathy for the young youngster who was only trying to make sense of his confusing environment. I could truly relate to the memories of his early strolls across the village mixed with the echoes of his past. “Gravel Soldiers” is a compelling story that tracks teenage Terry’s problems with drugs, rebellion, and identity. His journey of atonement and belonging is portrayed with a mix of bravado and vulnerability, offering readers who are grappling with their own pasts hope and fulfillment as well as an appreciation for the necessity of comprehension and acceptance. “Gravel Soldiers” is an overall strong memoir that encapsulates the spirit of resiliency. Terry Iwanski has written a novel that is both universal and personal, and I wholeheartedly endorse it to anyone seeking a poignant examination of the highs and lows of life. Long after I closed the book, I continued to think back on my own journey since it is a monument to the resilience of the human spirit. I appreciate you telling the world your tale, Terry!