This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff: A Story of Growing Up, Finding Yourself, and Surviving Abuse
- Who is Tobias Wolff? - Why is it worth reading? H2: The Plot of This Boy's Life - How does Tobias move from Florida to Utah to Washington with his mother? - What are the challenges and adventures he faces along the way? - How does he cope with his abusive stepfather Dwight? - How does he discover his identity and passion for writing? H2: The Themes of This Boy's Life - The search for belonging and acceptance - The power of imagination and storytelling - The struggle between conformity and rebellion - The impact of family and environment on identity H2: The Style and Tone of This Boy's Life - How does Wolff use humor, irony, and sarcasm to convey his experiences? - How does Wolff balance honesty and self-criticism with compassion and empathy? - How does Wolff create vivid scenes and characters with his descriptive language? - How does Wolff structure his memoir as a series of episodes and anecdotes? H2: The Reception and Influence of This Boy's Life - How did critics and readers react to the book when it was published in 1989? - How did the book win several awards and become a bestseller? - How did the book inspire a film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 1993? - How did the book influence other memoirists and writers? H2: Conclusion - Summarize the main points of the article - Reiterate why the book is worth reading - Provide a call to action for the reader H2: FAQs - Where can I download This Boy's Life in epub format? - What are some other books by Tobias Wolff? - What are some other memoirs similar to This Boy's Life? - How accurate is the film adaptation of This Boy's Life? - What are some of the literary devices that Wolff uses in his memoir? Table 2: Article with HTML formatting Tobias Wolff: This Boy's Life - A Memoir of Growing Up in the 1950s
If you are looking for a captivating and honest memoir that explores the themes of identity, family, and adolescence, you should definitely check out Tobias Wolff's This Boy's Life. In this book, Wolff recounts his turbulent childhood in the 1950s, as he moves across the country with his mother, escapes from his abusive stepfather, and finds his voice as a writer. In this article, we will give you an overview of the plot, themes, style, tone, reception, and influence of this remarkable book. We will also tell you where you can download it in epub format for your convenience.
tobias wolff this boy's life epub download
Introduction
This Boy's Life is a memoir by Tobias Wolff, an American writer and professor. It was published in 1989 and became a bestseller and a critical success. It won several awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography and the Ambassador Book Award for Biography/Autobiography. It was also adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Ellen Barkin in 1993.
The book covers Wolff's life from the age of ten to eighteen, as he travels with his mother from Florida to Utah to Washington state, in search of a better life. Along the way, he encounters various challenges and adventures, such as running away from home, stealing cars, forging documents, hunting animals, joining a gang, and applying to a prestigious boarding school. He also has to deal with his violent and manipulative stepfather Dwight, who tries to crush his spirit and dreams. Through it all, he discovers his passion for writing and literature, which helps him cope with his difficult circumstances and express his true self.
This Boy's Life is not only a fascinating and entertaining story, but also a profound and insightful reflection on the themes of belonging, imagination, rebellion, and identity. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think. It is a book that will inspire you to pursue your own goals and aspirations, no matter what obstacles you face. It is a book that you will not regret reading.
The Plot of This Boy's Life
The book begins with Wolff and his mother Rosemary fleeing from her abusive boyfriend Roy in Florida. They head west, hoping to find uranium and strike it rich. However, their car breaks down in Utah, where they meet another man named Dwight. Dwight seems to be a kind and generous person, who offers to help them and marry Rosemary. Wolff's mother agrees, despite Wolff's misgivings.
They move to Dwight's house in Concrete, Washington, where Wolff soon realizes that Dwight is a cruel and tyrannical man. He constantly berates, beats, and humiliates Wolff, who he calls Jack. He also forces him to do chores, deliver newspapers, and join the Boy Scouts. He deprives him of food, clothing, and education. He mocks his interest in reading and writing, and tries to turn him into a "man" by making him fight, smoke, and drink.
Wolff resists Dwight's authority and abuse by lying, stealing, cheating, and running away. He also finds solace in his friends, such as Arthur Gayle, Chuck Bolger, and Terry Taylor. They share his sense of adventure and mischief, and they help him escape from his miserable home life. They also introduce him to new experiences, such as hunting, driving, shooting, and dating.
Wolff also develops a love for literature and writing, which he considers his true calling. He reads books by authors such as Ernest Hemingway, J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Jack London. He writes stories and poems for his school newspaper and magazine. He also applies to a prestigious boarding school called Hill School, using forged transcripts and letters of recommendation.
The book ends with Wolff being accepted to Hill School, thanks to his impressive application and interview. He leaves Concrete with his mother, who finally divorces Dwight. He looks forward to a new life of freedom and opportunity at Hill School.
The Themes of This Boy's Life
This Boy's Life explores several themes that are relevant to anyone who has ever gone through adolescence or faced challenges in life. Some of the major themes are:
The search for belonging and acceptance
Wolff portrays his childhood as a series of attempts to fit in and find a place where he can be himself. He tries to please his mother, who is always looking for a new husband or a new home. He tries to impress his stepfather, who is always trying to change him or break him down. He tries to make friends with other boys, who are always testing him or teasing him. He tries to impress girls, who are always rejecting him or using him.
However, he never feels truly accepted or comfortable in any of these situations. He feels like an outsider, a misfit, a liar. He feels like he has to hide his true self or pretend to be someone else. He feels like he has no control over his own life or destiny.
The power of imagination and storytelling
Wolff shows how imagination and storytelling can be a source of strength and survival in a harsh reality. He uses his imagination to create alternative worlds and identities for himself, where he can be happy and successful. He uses storytelling to express his feelings and thoughts, which he cannot share with anyone else. He uses both imagination and storytelling to cope with his pain and frustration, which he cannot escape from otherwise.
For example, he imagines himself as a cowboy hero or a secret agent when he runs away from home. He imagines himself as a war correspondent or a novelist when he writes for his school paper. He imagines himself as a wealthy and brilliant student when he applies to Hill School.
He also tells stories to others, such as his mother or his friends or his teachers. He tells stories to impress them or amuse them or persuade them or deceive them. He tells stories to get what he wants or avoid what he fears.
The struggle between conformity and rebellion
Wolff depicts his adolescence as a constant struggle between conforming to the expectations of others and rebelling against them. He wants to be liked and respected by others but he also wants to be true to himself. He wants to follow the rules but he also wants to break them.
or delivering newspapers. He rebels against Dwight's authority by lying or stealing or running away. He conforms to his friends' norms by smoking or drinking or fighting. He rebels against his friends' influence by reading or writing or applying to Hill School.
He also tries to find a balance between conformity and rebellion, by choosing when and how to do either. He learns to adapt to different situations and people, by changing his appearance or behavior or attitude. He learns to use his intelligence and creativity, by finding loopholes or shortcuts or alternatives.
The impact of family and environment on identity
Wolff illustrates how his family and environment shape his identity and personality. He shows how his mother's love and support give him hope and courage. He shows how his stepfather's abuse and control make him angry and defiant. He shows how his friends' companionship and loyalty give him fun and excitement. He shows how his teachers' guidance and encouragement give him knowledge and confidence.
He also shows how his family and environment limit his identity and personality. He shows how his mother's instability and insecurity make him anxious and restless. He shows how his stepfather's hypocrisy and resentment make him cynical and distrustful. He shows how his friends' recklessness and immaturity make him irresponsible and careless. He shows how his teachers' indifference and incompetence make him bored and disillusioned.
He also shows how he tries to overcome the limitations of his family and environment, by seeking new opportunities and experiences. He shows how he tries to find his own identity and personality, by exploring his interests and talents.
The Style and Tone of This Boy's Life
This Boy's Life is written in a style and tone that reflect Wolff's personality and perspective. It is written in the first person, as Wolff narrates his own story from his point of view. It is written in the past tense, as Wolff looks back on his childhood from his adulthood. It is written in a simple and clear language, as Wolff uses everyday words and sentences to convey his experiences.
However, the style and tone of the book are not plain or dull. They are full of humor, irony, sarcasm, honesty, self-criticism, compassion, empathy, vividness, and creativity. Some of the features of the style and tone are:
Humor, irony, sarcasm
Wolff uses humor, irony, sarcasm to lighten the mood of the book and to show his attitude towards himself and others. He often makes fun of himself or others for their flaws or mistakes or absurdities. He often says the opposite of what he means or what is true or what is expected. He often exaggerates or understates the facts or events or emotions.
For example, he jokes about his mother's bad luck with men or Dwight's obsession with dentistry or his own failures at school or love. He ironically calls Dwight "my champion" or himself "a model boy" or Concrete "a paradise". He sarcastically thanks Dwight for "making a man out of me" or tells Terry that he loves her "more than life itself" or says that he is "very sorry" for stealing a car.
Honesty, self-criticism
Wolff uses honesty, self-criticism to show his respect for the truth and for himself. He does not hide or deny or justify his actions or feelings or thoughts. He does not blame or judge others for their actions or feelings or thoughts. He does not idealize or romanticize his past or present or future.
For example, he admits that he lied to his mother about Roy's abuse or to Dwight about his grades or to Hill School about his background. He acknowledges that he stole from Dwight's house or from Chuck's store or from Terry's father. He confesses that he felt jealous of Arthur's talent or Chuck's popularity or Terry's beauty.
Compassion, empathy
or thoughts. He does not pity or despise himself for his actions or feelings or thoughts. He tries to see things from their point of view and to feel what they feel.
For example, he shows compassion for his mother's struggles and sacrifices or Dwight's insecurities and frustrations or Arthur's loneliness and depression. He shows empathy for Roy's fear and guilt or Chuck's ambition and pride or Terry's pain and anger.
Vividness, creativity
Wolff uses vividness, creativity to show his skill and passion for writing and storytelling. He uses descriptive language to create vivid scenes and characters that capture the reader's attention and imagination. He uses literary devices to enhance the meaning and impact of his words and stories.
For example, he uses metaphors and similes to compare Dwight to a weasel or a dragon or a vampire. He uses imagery and sensory details to describe the smell of Dwight's car or the sound of Dwight's voice or the taste of Dwight's food. He uses dialogue and dialect to show the personality and speech of Dwight or Arthur or Chuck. He uses structure and chronology to organize his memoir as a series of episodes and anecdotes that build up to a climax and resolution.
The Reception and Influence of This Boy's Life
This Boy's Life received widespread acclaim and recognition when it was published in 1989. It was praised by critics and readers alike for its honesty, humor, insight, and style. It was hailed as one of the best memoirs of the 20th century, and as a classic of American literature. It won several awards, such as the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography and the Ambassador Book Award for Biography/Autobiography. It was also nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography/Autobiography and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.
The book also became a bestseller, selling millions of copies worldwide. It was translated into several languages, such as French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic. It was also adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Ellen Barkin in 1993. The film was directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Robert Getchell. It received positive reviews from critics and audiences, and earned several nominations and awards, such as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for DiCaprio.
The book also influenced many other writers and memoirists, who were inspired by Wolff's style and story. Some of them include Frank McCourt, Dave Eggers, Mary Karr, Jeannette Walls, Augusten Burroughs, Cheryl Strayed, J.D. Vance, Tara Westover, and Barack Obama.
Conclusion
In conclusion, This Boy's Life is a memoir that you should not miss. It is a memoir that tells a captivating and honest story of growing up in the 1950s. It is a memoir that explores the themes of belonging, imagination, rebellion, and identity. It is a memoir that showcases the style and tone of a skilled and passionate writer. It is a memoir that received acclaim and recognition from critics and readers. It is a memoir that inspired a film adaptation and other writers.
If you are interested in reading This Boy's Life, you can download it in epub format from this link: https://www.ebookhunter.net/this-boys-life-by-tobias-wolff-epub/. You can also buy it from Amazon or other online stores.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about Tobias Wolff and his memoir. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Where can I download This Boy's Life in epub format?
You can download it from this link: https://www.ebookhunter.net/this-boys-life-by-tobias-wolff-epub/.
What are some other books by Tobias Wolff?
and selected stories; and The Barracks Thief (1984), a novella about three paratroopers.
What are some other memoirs similar to This Boy's Life?
Some other memoirs similar to This Boy's Life are Angela's Ashes (1996) by Frank McCourt, a memoir of growing up in Ireland and America; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (2000) by Dave Eggers, a memoir of raising his younger brother after losing his parents; The Liars' Club (1995) by Mary Karr, a memoir of growing up in Texas with an alcoholic father and a mentally ill mother; The Glass Castle (2005) by Jeannette Walls, a memoir of growing up in poverty and instability with eccentric parents; and Running with Scissors (2002) by Augusten Burroughs, a memoir of growing up in a dysfunctional family and being adopted by his mother's psychiatrist.
How accurate is the film adaptation of This Boy's Life?
The film adaptation of This Boy's Life is mostly faithful to the book, but it also makes some changes and omissions. Some of the changes are: the film begins with Wolff and his mother leaving Florida, while the book begins with Wolff and his mother leaving Alabama; the film omits some of Wolff's friends and adventures, such as Chuck Bolger and the hunting trip; the film adds some scenes and characters that are not in the book, such as Dwight's daughter Pearl and Wolff's encounter with a hitchhiker; the film ends with Wolff leaving for Hill School, while the book ends with Wolff arriving at Hill School.
What are some of the literary devices that Wolff uses in his memoir?
Some of the literary devices that Wolff uses in his memoir are: metaphor, simile, imagery, sensory details, dialogue, dialect, structure, chronology, humor, irony, sarcasm, honesty, self-criticism, compassion, empathy. 71b2f0854b