Notes From an Aging Insomniac: Reflections on family, friendship, love, and loss from the safe harbor of Key West

by James T. Grattan, Jeanne Marie Tokunaga (Editor), Pat Rigley (Illustrations)

Making out with Jesus. A hurricane named Wilma. And a Great Dane to show him the way. With soul-searching introspection, James Grattan spares no one - including himself - as he examines the events and relationships that have shaped his life and led him to the magical island of Key West. From the physical and emotional refuge of Florida's remote "end of the road," Grattan shines a light into the darkness of 1970s family life, debilitating loss, and the recurring sadness that have left him almost broken. Along the way, he honors the beacons of loyalty, laughter, and lust that have given him just enough hope. Grattan's journey from a childhood in Baltimore, to a fledgling acting career in New York, to innkeeping in Key West is rife with ribald humor, whimsical encounters, and no small amount of sassy repartee.

162 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2014

Reviews

[Quincy Garrett]

When first gifted with this book I was....skeptical but upon reading it....thank you Melissa for sharing and thank you Mr Gratton, I hope to see and read more books by you. Funny, touching and interesting. Although it is not my normal fare of literature (this may have to change) I found Mr Gratton's book to be very well written and that it takes a look at life and society from a different and impressive perspective that makes one realize that no matter how different we are, we all have many of the same hopes, fears, dreams and heartbreaks while at the same time maintaining a lighthearted tone.

[Theresa Connors]

This was recommended to me by a friend of the author. I loved the honesty of the highly personal essays. Some made me laugh uncontrollably and others brought tears to my eyes.

[Karla Alexander]

What a Journey!

I choose the highest rating because I'd love to spend more time with this author/person. You are living an amazing "real" life. Solo articulate! Such a great sense is humor, and awareness of who you are, even if you don't realize it. I laughed yes, but more I smiled at the talent to put yourself in perspective and put the rest of the world in perspective. I cried, for how eloquently you shared my same feelings and how that cry was so therapeutic. For that I thank you, and I'm hooked.
Your simpler stories are a blast to read. Your tougher stories were a surprise and a gift. You found the perfect balance I think.
Thank you for them all!

[Melissa Banczak]

Overall, I loved this book. Some essays left me wanting more, others, like "Because I'm spiritual, Damnit", made me feel I was right there with him for his failed experiment at meditation. "My Best Friend", is the reason he and I are friends. I heard him at a reading and wanted to hear more stories. I pushed, maybe a bit too hard, for him to put the collection together in book form. And I'm so glad I did. I want to see James dig deeper in his next collection. Share more of his soul. In the meantime, there are some sweet gems in this volume.

[Kristina]

What a book! True, I know James but I honestly believe I would have had the same reaction had I not known the author. It was funny, sad, poignant…it was everything you want a book of personal essays to be—personal, like the author is talking to you, sharing his deepest feelings and private jokes with just you over a cup of tea of glass of wine. Well done James, well done.