Wolff writes about himself honestly, depicting by turns a boy who is likable and dislikable, entertaining and pitiful. But while he is often self-deprecating, he is never self-righteous. He is also careful to make clear that his ruminations are coming from the older, wiser man, not the boy in the stories. These elements together won him my friendship, sympathy, and trust as a reader. An example from his book: "Because I did not know who I was, any image of myself, no matter how grotesque, had power over me. This much I understand now. But the man can give no help to the boy, not in this matter nor in those that follow. The boy moves always out of reach."