Title: Laying Stones: Life, Loss & the Little Stories of Remembrance

Author: Curtis Leathers

Genre: Memoir

 

In Laying Stones, Curtis Leathers’s thoughtful and considered memoir, he explores and reflects upon the nature of grief, the legacies left to us, and those we may pass on.

He introduces the reader to his family, their life, and values through bite-size, anecdotal vignettes while providing several invaluable life lessons.

A reader may be forgiven for thinking that Leathers’s book may be a little heavy, a touch serious, and none too cheerful. Far from it, although there are some profound, moving passages, it reads with positivity and a subtle, but undoubted, drive to celebrate life.

Laying Stones is neatly laid out, and the porthole illustrations are a charming addition. The literary quotes are well-chosen and complementary, as are the selection of photographs at the conclusion.

It does not necessarily follow a linear chronological pattern, more of a circular journey which begins with Leathers’s raw, questing reaction to the loss of his parents.

This leads him to contemplate who his parents truly were and what they taught him. It ends with a measured reflection on their demise and his own mortality and legacy.

The first section, “Left Behind”, deals with the aftermath of his parents’ passing. Leathers tried to make sense of it through pivotal memories and recollections, which provide a soft catalyst for delving deeper into their lives, pulling out seemingly innocuous moments which now provide key realizations.

Indeed, Laying Stones could have been overly subjective, but Leathers ensures relatability even if a reader has not lost one or both parents.

When he discusses the “last times”, it’s a simple yet powerful premise that will reverberate with any reader. The rounded glimpses he affords into the traditions of his family life have, overall, universal application, and therefore, interest.

Leathers is incredibly engaging, allowing the reader into his life without oversharing. Indeed, he is careful to ensure good, writerly detachment despite the clear affection for his subjects. Notwithstanding, some tales have a homespun, folksy gloss that is endearing.

Leathers has a knack for bringing his family members richly to life in a few words which he then builds upon. He has structured Laying Stones deceptively well, from the metaphorical quality of the title to his clever use of lightly amusing memories which segue effortlessly into providing a deeper level of understanding.

Occasionally, the reader is left wanting more, as the brevity of Laying Stones is also its charm, but Leathers is such an intrinsically good writer that his book could have been twice the length without diluting its sentiment or becoming tiresome.

It would have been nice to hear a couple more memories of the Nugget lunches, as the reader would have likely enjoyed reading it.

Toward the end of the “Little Stories” section, Leathers gives the reader one of the longer tales called “Honor Flight”. Not only is it a heartwarming memory but informative and thought-provoking. Leathers is a skilled storyteller and the enjoyment of his writing is enhanced by his slight air of self-deprecation.

The last section, “Reflections”, is possibly the strongest, and it has a gentle, motivational quality, but more by example rather than instruction, and is beautifully poignant without becoming mawkish.

Although the book is short, there is a real sense of the reader having undertaken a personal, meaningful journey alongside Leathers and been given food for thought for their own consideration.

Leathers has written a captivating, little treasure of a memoir that offers much and is a wonderful testament to the family who provoked it and the man who wrote it. Full of integrity, heart, and insight, much like its author, Laying Stones lingers long after the final page.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.