4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
A Peripatetic Life: Reminiscences on an eclectic lifetime is a memoir of the author Raymond Walley. It features his very interesting life, both personal and professional, as he traveled and lived life learning new things, enjoying new experiences and meeting new people. Diagnosed with advance, inoperable and aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2015 at the age of 72, Raymond decided to write about his life expecting two possible views from the readers, either to serve as a warning to young people to plan the future better than he did, or to be seen as a lesson that achievement and fame can be had by anyone willing to study widely, learn from their experiences and see mistakes as just another way of gaining knowledge.
The oldest of five children of William Henry Walley and Rosa May Dicks, Raymond was born in March 11, 1943 in a nursing home in Birchfield, Birmingham. He has a natural love for reading and learning and displays interest in fishing and classical music. His love for traveling took him to so many places other people only read about in books.
He worked in a shoe warehouse, in the railway and in the army. He was a salesman, messenger boy, porter, soldier, communications center operator, construction worker, tea boy, truck driver, cab driver, shop keeper, butler, cook, company director, university lecturer, psychometric analyst and a single parent. He tried wine making, abseiling and rock climbing, shop keeping, singing and gardening. Among his interests were traveling, photography, railway model-making and philately. He had been to Germany, Malta, Saudi Arabia and numerous different countries in Europe.
Written in what feels like a fast forward pacing, this is a very interesting book about a very interesting person. Raymond Walley is the epitome of someone who lives life to the fullest. He is like a sponge that absorbs everything he can, and turns whatever knowledge he learns into something useful not only for himself but also for others. He lives for the moment, tries new things and savors the experience with great relish. Despite some pitfalls, like eviction, bankruptcy, termination and failed marriages, Raymond’s zest for life never wavers nor does he lose faith in love and finding someone to share the rest of his life with.
With a consistent light hearted tone, this is a very entertaining and inspiring book about a person with great appreciation for life and enthusiasm for learning, who lives in constant wonder for what life has to offer each day and whose interests and skills keep him self-sufficient and constantly preoccupied. Likewise, he is aware of his flaws and mistakes and admits to doing things other people might not approve of.
However, I notice some typo errors, missing words and missing punctuation marks. Moreover, I would prefer that the photographs are placed in the chapters they are mentioned instead of all at once at the end of the book. They are beautiful photographs and would undoubtedly complement the narratives and make them more interesting.
I, therefore, give this book the rate of 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who appreciate memoirs.
******
A Peripatetic Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Barnes and Noble
Like kimmyschemy06's review? Post a comment saying so!
