Official Review: DANG, I Wish I Hadn't Done That

[Cristina Chifane]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "DANG, I Wish I Hadn't Done That" by Larry Upshaw (Editor).]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Dang, I Wish I Hadn’t Done That is a wonderful collection of 34 stories and poems edited by Larry Upshaw from submissions to the 2018 Ageless Authors writing contest. The initiative to put together the works of senior writers age 65 and older shows both courage and vision. In time, it can pave the way for the development of a new literary field that would have a lot to gain from the wisdom and experience of seniority.

What I absolutely loved about the book was the diversity of its topics and narrative strategies. Coming from different backgrounds, the senior authors featured in this collection are life-long professional writers as well as people who became dedicated to the craft in retirement. The book is divided into three main parts in accordance with the three sections of the contest: “Military Memories”, “Dang, I Wish I Hadn’t Done That (Regrets)”, and “Parents, For Better or Worse”.

Arranged by prize and honorable mention, all the stories and poems make up a remarkable collection reminiscent of classical anthologies. On the whole, the common thread of the book is not necessarily a feeling a nostalgia, but an awareness of the passage of time. Mostly writing in the first person, the senior authors ponder on past events with long-lasting consequences on their lives.

The stories in the first part tackle the topic of war and the military from various perspectives. In “The Bunker” by Robert Swandby, the first-person narrator accurately describes the terrified North Vietnamese boy soldiers and denounces the insanity of shooting people he had never met before. By contrast, “Matching to a Different Drummer” by Gordon Smith features a WWII veteran who never lost his spirit of patriotism and respect for the national flag and his country. My favorite stories in this part were “Refugee” by Leah Rae Lake, “Go Army!” by Lynda Palmer, and “I, The Ensign” by Susan Lindsley. They all have female protagonists who are either forced to leave their home because of war or find their own identity by joining the military. The stories I liked the least were “The Letter” by J. Allen Whitt and “Surveillance” by Gered Beebe. The former was too short to get me emotionally involved, whereas the latter was too technical in its descriptions of the daily routine on a nuclear submarine.

Although entitled “Dang, I Wish I Hadn’t Done That (Regrets)”, the second part has many surprisingly humorous stories such as “The Klutzwit Gene” by Geoffrey K. Graves, or “Morning Thunder” and “The Babe in the Box” by Richard Perreault. Each story is unique, and humor springs from the most unexpected situations (a Laurel and Hardy show of some original parents insisting on painting their house by themselves, the story of a man who thinks he is in bed with a dead woman, or the portrayal of a GPS as the perfect woman). However, the story I enjoyed the most was “In the Midst of Life” by Marc Hess. I have chosen it due to the interesting combination of grim irony and belated disappointment with past decisions. Paradoxically, the poem “Words and When I Knew Them” by Nancy Meyer impressed me even more than the stories as it deals with the sensitive topics of date rape, unwanted pregnancy, and abortion.

Dedicated to family relations and their impact on children, the third part of the book is definitely eye-opening and thought-provoking. The stories pose different challenges and make you stop and think of how parents’ life choices affect their children’s future. If the protagonist in Maureen Kellen-Taylor’s story “A Proper Mother” is an example of courage and generosity, Jim’s wife in “Plaques” by Robert Nelis has to live with the consequences of putting her career before her children and marriage. For me, the best story in this part is “Moon of the Popping Trees” by Hugh Gardner, not accidentally awarded the first prize. At the same time metaphorical and realistic, it strikes with the parallel between the fracturing of the Sioux tribe and the moral degradation of the Merrycats, as they used to call the Americans.

Despite the eclecticism of the stories and poems in this collection, the book is exquisitely edited. Without hesitation, I am giving it 4 out of 4 stars. Last but not least, I am recommending it to all those interested in reading stories and poems that rely on a variety of topics from love and friendship to war and broken relationships. Each author teaches a valuable lesson and skillfully stirs hidden emotions and feelings. I am looking forward to the next Ageless Authors contests. Finally, I hope that collecting the stories and poems in an anthology will become a wonderful tradition.

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DANG, I Wish I Hadn't Done That
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[kandscreeley]

I love that this is a collection for a contest. It's also fun that the authors are all in their golden age. The subjects of the poem seen fun and varied. Thanks for the lovely review.

[MsH2k]

This is a marvelous idea for a book. Thank you for your review.

[Mrunal Tikekar]

The variety in themes makes the book quite intriguing and interesting. I agree with your thoughts on literature by veterans. Nice review.

[Nisha Ward]

The experiences of our seniors can be a wonderful, if oft difficult process of reconciliation and reflection, something that it seems is happening here. It's interesting because it runs the gamut of emotions when it comes to regrets and I hope readers can find as much out of it as you do.

[Cristina Chifane]

I love that this is a collection for a contest. It's also fun that the authors are all in their golden age. The subjects of the poem seen fun and varied. Thanks for the lovely review.

I loved the idea too. I think it's a great way to promote senior authors.

[Cristina Chifane]

This is a marvelous idea for a book. Thank you for your review.

Yes, I was quite surprised at the diversity and quality of the authors' writing styles.

[Cristina Chifane]

The variety in themes makes the book quite intriguing and interesting. I agree with your thoughts on literature by veterans. Nice review.

Thank you. I honestly believe that senior authors come up with a unique perspective on things considering their life experience.

[Cristina Chifane]

The experiences of our seniors can be a wonderful, if oft difficult process of reconciliation and reflection, something that it seems is happening here. It's interesting because it runs the gamut of emotions when it comes to regrets and I hope readers can find as much out of it as you do.

This is perhaps the reason why I liked the book so much. All stories in this anthology have something special and manage to stir emotions, but not necessarily regret.

[kdstrack]

I love the premise of this book! The fact that the writers are all seniors is attractive since the reader can learn from their experience. I enjoyed your reference to the common theme being the "awareness of the passing of time." This is one I would like to read. Thanks for the great review.

[maxiphemmax]

It's lovely having these inputs from our golden elderly. Thanks for the review.

[Maríe Wamakima]

I believe that a lot of wisdom can be acquired from these book especially the second part 'Dang I wish I hadn't done that.' I really enjoyed your review. You've highlighted the best qualities of the book intensely.