Review of To Then and Back again

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "To Then and Back again" by Jerry Bryson McMillan.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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There were four McMillan brothers. Chris, the oldest and the best-looking of the bunch, grew up and married Tina. They had two daughters, and the daughters had two granddaughters. Tom was the next son and was always considered the smartest. He had three children. Jerry was next and the troublemaker. He once stole $20 out of his teacher’s purse. He grew up to be a scientist. Albert was the baby. He had platinum hair, and his mother always coddled with him because he was the baby. Their mother, Joyce, had alcoholism and died at the early age of 64. George was the dad who retired from the Air Force at 39.

To Then and Back Again is the first book of a memoir series written by J. Bryson McMillan. This book delves into the lives of Jerry and his brothers in their younger years, up until high school. The second one will deal with Jerry when he is an adult. They moved around a lot but finally settled in Solomon, a small town in the Midwest. One day, Joyce wanted to go out dancing and drinking. She talked a friend, Wayne, into being her designated driver. While out, Chris, then 18, babysat the other three boys. Clothes were left too close to the gas water heater and started on fire. Chris smelled smoke and ran upstairs to find it.

When he did, he stomped it out and was positive that he had gotten it all. He didn’t get all the embers, and the fire reignited. It traveled through the wall and started the attic on fire. Before anyone noticed it, the fire was roaring and out of control. The four boys managed to escape, and within a few minutes, the house was engulfed in flames. The volunteer fire department arrived late on the scene, and by the time they did, the house was a total loss. As Wayne and Joyce were on their way home, they could see the fire from a distance, and Joyce knew that her house was on fire. When she got to the scene of the fire, she became hysterical, thinking that the boys had not escaped. They had to hold her back from running into the burning building. Finally, the boys were presented to her, and she calmed down. After the house fire, the family moved four times before settling in an old red brick house.

The fire was just one of the horrific things that happened to Jerry and his family. You must pick up a copy to find out what else there was.

There was nothing that I disliked about the book. The story, as told by Jerry, was fascinating and kept me involved and wanting to read more. A word of warning! There is violence, death, suicide, and a graphic description of the abuse of a child. If you are sensitive to those things, this book is not for you. This book was not the best I have ever read, but I will rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The reason for the high rating is that I commend the author for telling about a horrible thing that happened to him when he was young. It is not easy for people to speak about sexual abuse. There were a few errors, but I felt the book was professionally edited. I recommend this book to anyone who is not sensitive about the issues mentioned above and readers who love memoirs.

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To Then and Back again
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[Gerry Steen]

This sounds like a gripping memoir. The fact that it starts with an event such as a house fire tells me that this book will have my attention throughout. Congratulations to the author for being courageous enough to talk about the sexual abuse he suffered. As usual, your review has piqued my interest in this book.

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Review: Alooma by J. Bryson McMillan is a captivating memoir that takes us on a journey through the lives of Jerry and his brothers. The book covers their younger years up until high school, highlighting some of the challenges they faced along the way. From a devastating house fire to other harrowing experiences, this memoir is filled with moments that will keep you engaged and wanting to know more.

I must commend the author for his bravery in sharing such difficult experiences, including instances of violence, death, suicide, and child abuse. It's not an easy topic to discuss, but McMillan does so with honesty and vulnerability.

The storytelling in Alooma is compelling, and I found myself immersed in the lives of the McMillan brothers. It's evident that the author has a talent for bringing his experiences to life on the pages, and I appreciate the professional editing that went into the book.

However, I must acknowledge that this memoir might not be suitable for readers who are sensitive to the aforementioned topics. It's important to consider your comfort level before delving into this book.

Overall, I rate Alooma by J. Bryson McMillan 5 out of 5 stars. This is an emotionally charged and well-written memoir that sheds light on the darker side of life. It's a must-read for those who are not sensitive to the difficult subject matter and enjoy memoirs that offer a raw and honest depiction of personal experiences. Atmospheric tension, kept me hooked throughout.

[Joe Alex 2]

The story of Jerry and his brothers unfolds with heartbreaking events, like a devastating house fire that sets the tone for their challenging childhood. The narrative is raw, detailing the turmoil they faced, including intense struggles and abuse. What struck me was how the author bravely shared painful moments from his past, especially the sensitive topic of child abuse. The honesty and emotional depth pulled me in, even though the content might be difficult for some. Despite a few rough edges, I found the story powerful and meaningful, making me appreciate the courage it takes to share such personal experiences.

[Arshadq]

A very interesting book indeed. Reading about the life of Jerry and his family could be a very good read. Your review makes it clear that the family goes through many struggles together. I might be interested in reading the book.