Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Pardon Me for Protruding and Other True Tales

Jackson, B. (2013). Pardon Me for Protruding and Other True Tales: A Young Lawyer's Life, Learning, and Loves. Vol. 1. Self-published.

Adult / Memoir / Humor

I gave this book 4 out of 5 Stars



In Pardon Me for Protruding and Other True Tales, author Bolaride Jackson shows readers that in the world of a young lawyer, truth is often stranger – and more hilarious – than fiction.  Jackson’s memoir, told in short chapters that stand alone but also connect to other chapters, brings readers a cast of clients, co-workers, and kooks that are richly described and quite memorable.  Set in times when those lucky enough to have a TV only struggled with choosing from three stations, Bolo’s job as a lowly associate in a law firm takes him around North Carolina to some of the most remote counties, where his greeting could be a sassy secretary -- or a shotgun.  All work and no play makes for a dull lawyer, so be prepared to chuckle as Bolo navigates not only his career but the dangerous waters of meeting and – pun intended – courting eligible bachelorettes.



If the title doesn’t give you enough of a hint that you are in for some fun, then turn a few pages and you’ll know.  Reading Pardon Me for Protruding felt like sitting around the table after a meal and enjoying stories from the good ol’ days.  Author Bolaride Jackson doesn’t take himself too seriously, and even as he explains legal terminology, he never comes off as pompous or superior.  The story was very well written and speaks highly of Jackson’s skill with the pen.  Readers will appreciate the use of innuendo to keep the stories clean and the writing flows like having a comfortable conversation with a true southern gentleman.  Jackson’s humor runs the gambit from the obvious, laugh-out-loud moments, to the more subtle jabs at his profession. For example, Jackson writes, “Like the military, law firms are in constant need of reinforcements. Not because people get killed or wounded, of course, but because lawyers become unproductive by retiring, quitting, or making partner.” Pardon Me for Protruding, with its Reader’s Digest-like, short, clean chapters will delight its readers, who will most certainly pick-up the sequel.

This book was reviewed for Readers' Favorite, who provided me a free eBook in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.

2 comments:

  1. I love memoirs, especially if they're funny!

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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    Replies
    1. You'd probably like this one, then. It's just comfortable and harkens back to simpler times -- like listening to my dad's stories (he's 80 now). Let me know if you read it.

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