Norman Ollestad grew up on the beaches of Topanga Beach in California. His father, also Norman, or Senior Ollestad, taught him how to surf and ski at a very young age and expected him to excel in both. Much to Norman’s horror, his father would take him off trail downhill skiing the were quite dangerous. No matter how many time he pleaded with his father not to take him on the treacherous hills and the largest waves, his father made him do it. Norman didn’t have much choice and he did like making his father proud.
The memoir is told in alternating chapters, one chapter about his life growing up in a broken family and his adventures with his dad and then a chapter about the horrific plane crash he was in with his father and his father’s girl friend Sandra.
Norman’s parents divorced when he was quite young and he lived with his mom and her boyfriend, Nick. Nick was an alcoholic and was physically and mentally abusive to both Norman and his mother. His mother usually chose Nick over the well being of her son, despite his abuse.
Norman really wanted to be a “normal” kid, with normal parents. He didn’t get to play with other kids very often because his father brought him all over to either practice or compete in sports. He was glad to be away from Nick during those times but also terrified of what hill or wave his father would make him concur next.
This book read very much like a novel. Norman Ollestad has a great talent for writing and I had trouble putting this book down. I do question how true some of his memories are. Many sounded exaggerated to me. I’m not convinced that Ollestad did this intentionally but maybe his memories of the events were bigger than the actual events. After all, he was only 11 years old when he was in the plane crash.
If you like memoirs or even adventure fiction, you are sure to enjoy this compelling book!
4.5/5
Also reviewed at:
At Home With Books
Bookfoolery and Babble
A Bookworm’s World
Thoughts of Joy
I love memoirs so this sounds good to me!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one! I thought it was a fun read, apart from all that hippie sex. LOL
I read this book & was prepared not to like it. But, to my surprise, I really enjoyed the book. It read like a novel & I had to keep reminding myself that it was a true story. I’d highly recommend this one.
Kathy, I think you would enjoy it.
Nancy, hippie sex. LOL! I didn’t really think there was that much. I have read books with a lot more than this one had.
Cheryl, I am glad that I read it.
Thanks for linking to my review! I agree that it really did read like a novel.
I enjoy memoirs. I don’t mind a little exaggeration if it makes it more entertaining. I’ll definitely have to keep my eye out for this one.
Maureen Hume. http://www.thepizzagang.com
I enjoyed this one as well. I did wonder too if his memories had become a bit larger than life, but an extraordinary story.
I’ve been hearing great things about this book. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Great review!
Alyce, any time.
Maureen, this one is entertaining.
Luanne, it was extraordinary.
Diane, thanks. It is a good read.
I can take or leave memoirs … this one sounds more my type though, glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Wanda, this was a really good one. It really does read like a novel.
Great review. Thanks. I think it sounds good. I question stuff that sounds exaggerated in stories sometimes. Still it sounds good.
Toni, it’s a great story even though it appears exaggerated.
I really liked this memoir and was so glad when the I was directed to the YouTube – it added so much to my experience. Glad to see you enjoyed the book as well.
Joy, I saw the YouTube after I read the book. I agree, it really did add to the experience.
This sounds like a captivating and very interesting book to read. I loved your review and you really piqued my interest when you wonder if some of the memories are exaggerated. That sure can happen over time and given the heightened emotion and stress it soundsd as if the author felt when with his father. What a strange experience he had growing up!
Thank you for your review!
~ Amy
Amy, It is a very interesting and worthwhile book to read.
I do enjoy reading some memoirs. What I liked reading in this review is that the book is written like a novel. His childhood whether he live with his mother or father sounds dysfunctional.