Descanso for My Father: Fragments of a Life (American Lives)

I just reached the end of this book and am a bit sad about it. I miss his world already. I loved how so many natural objects were imbued with meaning. And I couldn't believe I was so charmed by such a domestic tale. I also loved how he captured that moment where you stop to listen to your parents' tales of ghosts, superstition, and meaning attached to objects (relics), even if you have to shake your head after hearing it to shake yourself back into what you doubted for a moment, but know is reality. I'm similar in age and I believe our parents were the last to experience the world imbued with such meaning in this way, at least here in the States. Although I can't bring myself to believe in ghosts, superstition, and relics, I have a love for that experience of life.I also loved how my interest as a reader was drawn by resting with stories and beauty versus pursuing desire or revenge. I believe one of the critics said it better: language, not suspense pulls the reader along.Fantastic book!

Harrison Fletcher weaves a delicate tapestry that enchants the reader with its beauty, heartache, and haunting poetic language. Each piece is a jewel that is part of a necklace that will astonish you with its honesty. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the author's colorful mother. And I was intrigued by the author's exploration of some significant dreams about his father. As an adoptee, I strongly identified with the search for the father whom the author barely knew; but anyone who has asked "Who am I?" will find resonance in these pages. Read "Descanso for My Father" slowly and savor the experience. I certainly did.

This fragmented style of writing is meant to be savored, the finely crafted phrases and images lingered upon, the spaces between sections and essays offering time to digest and reflect. Maybe I'll do that on my second and subsequent reads because I devoured the book, unable to wait to turn each page. While the basic facts of my life are quite different from the author's, his questing and questions echo some of my mine and I was eager to find out how he resolved or made peace with them.

This is an honest and well-written volume, a true gift to the creative non-fiction genre. Fletcher's writing is vivid, lyrical, and revealing. What began as a graduate assignment for me quickly became a joyous read filled with laughter, sighs, a hand on my chin, my feet up on a desk. I highly recommend it -- this book deserves to be read.

In a series of essays, the author follows the trail of his father. Since his father died while the author was quite young, this is a journey to "know" his father, which he hopes will shed some light on who the author is.Anyone who is on a journey of self discovery will certainly have some "aha!" moments while reading this book.

What a beautiful tribute to a remarkable writer's father. If you love unique approaches to writing, you will love the chances taken by Fletcher when he uses lists of words to evoke memories. Not just a memoir of father but of family and culture and feelings.I look forward to reading it again to find more wonders.

A writer wrote this, and a good one. The book is carefully crafted and delicately, beautifully detailed. I am a hound for a good story but this book gets you so caught up in the writing, you don't care what the author has to write about as long as he keeps doing it.

Well written and informative about cultural customs and family relationships.Sometimes the "fragments" got a little hard to keep track of while reading.I would highly recommend this book to other readers.