To Do-Over, or Not to Do-Over
In the wake of Christopher Noxon’s Rejuveniles, which explores the world of adults who indulge (or never grow beyond) their inner child, comes Do-Over!, the product of Guggenheim Fellowship-winning author and writing professor Robin Hemley’s quest to literally re-live huge chunks of his mildly troubled childhood.
The book’s subtitle aptly describes the project: In which a forty-eight-year-old father of three returns to kindergarten, summer camp, the prom, and other embarassments.
Hemley is determined not just to try to change the past in his experiment but to re-think, re-evaluate, and put in perspective childhood failures and regrets. Rather than indulging in lengthy and costly psychotherapy sessions, Hemley attempted to actually “do-over” a series of events like blowing a line in his elementary school play, settling some scores at summer camp, and overcoming 6th grade bullying.
Through his experiences Hemley becomes a self-described “connoisseur of childhood,” hoping to become a better parent in addition to appreciating the forces that shaped him. Certain personality types (mine, absolutely) might find this whole idea to be a rabbit-hole that the conscious mind is better off not leaping into. It might be worth questioning, for instance, whether Hemley’s re-living of certain events somehow cancels the original events out, or to what extent he is actually “living” in the present at all in the midst of his done-over adventures.
Hemley’s book has some really interesting “adult” observations on teaching and learning, dating (he dares to attempt a “Prom Do-Over”), and the disillusionments of college fraternity life. The extent to which his project is accepted and indulged by the kids and teachers he encounters is fascinating in itself, and the book is also worth reading for anyone who may have forgotten the simple awesomeness of recess.
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I just finished reading this. Kinda thought it would be obnoxious, but it was surprisingly entertaining.