Even though I am not a huge fan of memoirs (I always feel like these kinds of books just drag and drag on).. I was very surprised at the end of reading how much I truly enjoyed reading this book. This is The story of Laura Hall. A girl who in her 20’s is shocked to find out that her father is gay.. and has been closeted all this time. I think it comes at a time where many people can read and relate. Either being gay themselves or possibly having gay parent, it normalizes and makes the situation easier to swallow knowing there are others out there going through a similar situation. It’s a very real, raw look at the inside of the conflicting ideals of this family’s life. This book really puts you in the middle of what it feels like to hide who you truly are in a world that may not accept you. What a wonderful way to step into someone’s else’s shoes. This beautiful story set aside I really enjoyed the authors way of writing and felt that the chapters flowed easily and without me noticing. This is huge for me as I’m always flipping to see how many more pages I have left and how much time I have until I need to stop reading. But this book just swept me into another world! ( )

I have never been a huge fan of nonfiction or memoirs. I was totally and completely surprised by how much I love Affliction by Laura Hall. Affliction was such an inspiration. It was endearing and loving with all the things you never read in a book. A great example of this was when they had all the luxury of being fairly well off and then her dad losing his job which cause then to in a sense go bankrupt. I love viewing all the moments such as the example from before through a real life perspective.
Another thing I absolutely loved about this book was viewing someone life and choices they make through Laura perspective as well as her own choices. Being about to see her dad's life through the perspective of his child was one of my favorite things about this book. It was so surreal and honest. I can't wait to read another memoir of someone else's life. I can't wait to read more nonfiction.
I definitely think everyone should read this book and experience all the feelings and thoughts that go along with it. I had such an emotional rollercoaster reading and I think you will too. ( )

Wow - what a revelation for a Father's Day!

To eventually let his daughter know that his life would have been perfect without his wife and the birth of his four beautiful kids, Duane Ralph Hall earns zero compassion.

Yes, he endured horrors as a bullied and unprotected child, as well for his arrests, denial of entry into the Navy, forced change of name, and his U.S. Government dictated firing from his job. This does not excuse changing his identity to seduce an innocent girl and so deprive her of the possibility of a full life with heterosexual mates while burdening both her and his children with his "secret."

For future editions, editing would be welcome to avoid many serious repetitions
and to add perspectives of husbands, notably the kind professor.

As well, it would be good to have more understanding about why the author did not seek increased therapy for her night terrors and insecurities when she became an adult. She could have built on her father's strength and early open feelings rather than on her mother's ongoing reticence.

More photographs would be welcome! ( )

This is one of those books that more people should read for several reasons. First, the writing is splendid and really captures the time period and the overall feeling of how LGBT+ people were not quite accepted and were forced to live in secret. This book will put some things in perspective and open your eye to what it could feel like to live a life that is not what you truly want and a life that is expected of you from everyone else. Second, that historical importance is made clear in this book as it does set the scene and make you think about acceptance and how hard life must have been then. This is also a pertinent story because it outlines and details the author's father's experience and helps us remember that everyone deserves a happy life, regardless of what their sexual preference may be. Third, this story is so touching and rich with emotion. I loved reading this book and being able to connect to the author and her story, while also being able to read a part of her childhood that she wanted to share.

I'm excited to see what everyone else thinks of this book because I did enjoy it. We need more stories like this one. ( )