| Territories & Nunavut (NT, NU, YT) |
|
HomeShop at BookSurgeTravelCanadaTerritories & Nunavut (NT, NU, YT)The Wally Weet Stories: Catholic School Boys Don't Just Fight After School |
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 4 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Thin Ice Jan 02, 2006
By Sweetwater Larry
Bill Bruehl's title character-alter ego doesn't discuss winter sports, but in most of his adventures, from pre-school to newly married, Wally skates on thin ice. Bruehl draws on his long experience as actor-director-playwright to produce dramatic scenes:
*being in constant conflict with nuns, priest, and fellow students at Catholic schools
*looking for his lucky break on Broadway in his mid-teens without help from parents or high school drama coach
*riding ninety miles an hour on a double date on prom night with a buddy who has just that day gotten his driver's license
*having his sexual initiation as a teenager with a thirtysomething woman who may also be his father's mistress
*losing blood after walking out of a hospital the day following throat surgery and striking off to another town to begin work as assistant manager of a Woolworth's store
*"borrowing" from the Woolworth's tax-money boxes when his personal finances run short
*facing multiple risks of court martial when he falsifies his military documents and later engages in a black market scheme with goods from the PX
*theatening to drive off and leave his wife of one year after they quarrel over whether the back window in their car should be open or shut as they ride
The sub-title, "Catholic School Boys Don't Just Fight After School," pertains to a signifcant aspect of Wally-Bill's life, although -- as noted -- these memoirs cover a much broader span of life than parochial school. Against his wishes, Wally's parents push him to fight back against physical assaults from school mates, but the elder Weets disapprove when he fights against intellectual and spiritual assaults on his person by the faculty. After running away from fights, Wally comes out on top, physically and metaphorically, when he finally is forced to fight and pulverizes the class bully and gains grudging respect from other boys on the playground. His misgivings about church dogma are solidified in a senior apologetics class (intended to turn teenage Catholics into defenders of the faith) which has a boomerang effect. When the priest-teacher belittles Wally's questioning, this is the culmination of twelve years of "don't ask-don't think" schooling. Wally is driven to agnosticism.
Wally's derring-do, which leads him to skate on thin ice, also helps him develop life skills, as he works alongside his never-quite-successful restaurant owner father in renovating dilapidated buildings and reconstructing a caved-in parking lot; and as he works long hours learning the ropes with managing the five-and-dime.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
All the elements of a believable story Dec 15, 2005
By Jane R. Kern
"Jane Kern"
Through the stories of Wally Weet, author Bill Bruehl skillfully draws readers into a sense of place and love of family amidst a gathering storm of emotions and conflict. For those who grew up in the age of "genteel poverty" during the depression and WWII, the true-to-life stories will strike a familiar chord. For those who come from a strict Irish Catholic background, readers will reflect, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with a shudder, "Yes! That's the way it was."
Wally learns the value of hard work at an early age from his father, Big Brian, who believes fiercely in The American Dream. But Wally never learns to conform. His intelligence, his innate talent for drama, spawned by a need to be noticed and accepted among his peers in an all boys Catholic School keeps him in a constant state of rebellion, often on the brink of self-destruction. Crucial losses at a young age turn pain into rage.
A chapter entitled "Prom Date" portrays a poignant picture of a dream come true as Wally schemes and works his way through a maze of hurdles for an unforgettable high school prom night with his girlfriend.
With dreams of drama and adventure, Wally careens toward adulthood, sexual encounters, threats of expulsion from school, a stint in the army, and a passion for literature. There seems no middle ground among the highs and lows of Wally's life. Thus, as Wally passes the threshold of adulthood, it is easy to guess that he is destined to embrace the protests of the 1960s.
Ultimately, Wally meets his match with the cool assurance of his beautiful wife, Marnie. In an unforgettable scene, Wally senses a major shift within himself - sort of an epiphany leaving us with a beautiful ending.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Wally, give us a sequel Dec 06, 2005
By Ralph Stutzman
Amusing, poignant, insightful are words that come to mind upon reading
the madcap adventures of Wally Weet. Wally's experiences, such as his
early introduction to prejudice (you have to be taught to be
prejudiced), his bouncing through family foibles, and his stumbling
through first sexual awakenings trip the reader into reminiscences of
his/her own.
However, for those of us who went through public school education, we
get to see a parallel universe in Wally's catholic school education.
This repressed environment, in which a lid is placed on a natural boy's
exuberance, can only result in acting out; some of which is described
by Wally's humorous planned revolt in 8th grade, some of which is still
continuing into adulthood portrayed in the disproportionate surprising
rage in the closing story.
The episodes of Wally's Army career show play writer and author Bill
Bruehl's inclination to use wit and drama to polish a good yarn.
"The Wally Weet Stories: Catholic School Boys Don't Just Fight After
School" is both light and delightful reading.
Hey Wally - you're me! Dec 02, 2005
By Art Kempf
A good read ! This nicely written little book evokes many memories in one who lived through the years which shaped our hero, Wally Weet...this from one whose only connection to the "Catholic Experience" was as a Presbyterian playing basketball for his local CYO club under an assumed name.
If you were raised in the "Wally Years" you will find both joy and pain in the memories - our children and grandchildren will gain a new insight into why we are the way we are. Put this one on your list.
|
| | |
|
|
