The Boys of My Youth

The acclaimed author reflects on romance and disillusionment in childhood, young adulthood, and her marriage through a series of autobiographical essays.

“Smart, funny, and moving ... A gifted and gutsy writer ... This is what a first collection of stories should be.” —The Boston Globe

Cousins, mothers, sisters, dolls, dogs, best friends: these are the fixed points in Jo Ann Beard’s universe, the constants that remain when the boys of her youth—and then men who replace them—are gone. This wid...