Reddit meter
Young Man, Muddled
248 pages, 2023
biographies & memoirs
997 booksIn this, his first memoir, celebrated biographer and non-fiction book author Robert Kanigel tells of “muddling” his way into adulthood, love, and a new life. The 1950s formed him first; then, the 1960s got their grip on him.
His journey, rich in its sense of time and place, begins with his childhood in Brooklyn. After college, where he was trained as an engineer, he takes a job in Baltimore with a company he calls “the ammo lab”; the Vietnam War lurks just offstage all through this story.
Though his work serves the military, Kanigel shows up for the March on the Pentagon, one of the first big anti-war rallies. Later, he meets Maura, a firebrand of a woman pursuing a doctorate in biology, who beckons him to Europe.
He spends lonely months in Paris, unable to crack French. With Maura. he returns to Baltimore, forsakes engineering forever, and morphs into a writer – “not,” he says, “because I decided to become a writer, but because I began to write.”
His first project is a series of essays he proposes on a whim to an underground newspaper; this one stark act sets him on a meandering, serendipitous path that no one, least of all himself, could have predicted.
In Young Man, Muddled, Robert Kanigel explores the intricacies of youth and the challenges that come with it. He paints a vivid picture of the confusion and struggles that young people often face, encouraging readers to empathize with the protagonist's journey.
Kanigel's book is a testament to the power of self-discovery. As the young man navigates through his muddled thoughts and feelings, he learns more about himself and his place in the world. It's a reminder for us to take the time to understand ourselves better.
One of the key themes in Young Man, Muddled is resilience. Despite the challenges and confusion, the protagonist never gives up. This book encourages readers to find their inner strength and keep going, no matter how tough things get.
Kanigel takes a deep look into the dynamics of relationships - with family, friends, and romantic interests. He shows how these relationships can both contribute to and alleviate the protagonist's confusion, offering insights into how we can better manage our own relationships.
Young Man, Muddled is more than just a story; it's a journey of emotional growth. As the protagonist navigates his way through his muddled thoughts, he learns valuable lessons about life, love, and self-acceptance. It's a journey that we can all learn from.