I Love You, Miss Huddleston: and Other Inappropriate Longings of My Indiana Childhood

Philip Gulley's sweet-natured 2009 memoir I LOVE YOU, MISS HUDDLESTON tricked me. I first saw this book at the GLBT store Brushstrokes in Atlanta and made a note to order in online, where I saw a cheap used copy. I assumed that since that bookstore was carrying it the tome was a gay-friendly coming of age tale about growing up in Indiana, something akin to A LITTLE FRUITCAKE or MISSISSIPPI SISSY. So it worked its way off my "to read" shelf and I was shocked to discover that not only was the author married with children, but also a Quaker pastor! That being said, it was a pleasant book, filled with good-natured humor and thankfully not in the least bit preachy. It harkens back to the days when religion was not fraught with politics and being a pastor was a career choice, like a doctor or a teacher. Gulley is quite well-known in certain circles for a series of books about a fictitious Quaker community called Harmony and a series of essays collected as the FRONT PORCH series. By all accounts he is a progressive pastor with a level of intelligence not often seen in the current blogosphere. The book itself is a humorous account of life in the 1960s and 1970s in Danville, Indiana. Philip was the fourth of five children born to a Catholic mother and a DDT-selling father. The book chronicles several hallmarks of the coming of age memoir, including family camping trips, paper routes and Halloween. These long-lost reflections of a vanquished small town life are funny and enjoyable with just the right dose of nostalgia and humor. Philip and I are not that far apart in age, so a lot of his upbringing I could relate to, as can most Gen Xers I'm sure. The days of spending the summer outdoors and hanging with your friends until it gets dark without the worry of slow downloads or bounced checks strikes a chord. Gulley captures these moments with style and grace.

Gulley is a master of "right word at the right place" getting an audible laugh from reading. Giggling from his writing is constant. Reading about Philip growing up in small-town Indiana even tops a Leno show. Gulley must have had a good childhood, but the way he shares his experiences through his writing makes the reader feel like one of his happy neighbors, if not a childhood pal.Such delightful selection of words, for just the right moment.About a summer's garden abundance: "No calculator exists that can accurately extrapolate the tons of tomatoes generated by a hundred plants."Or the footnote on the church dealing with delinquency: "Quaker men, I would later learn after becoming one, are big believers in the redemptive powers of checkers."And "mothers were soothing our cowlicks with mother-spit..."One liners infiltrate the story as frequently as salt crystals in a theatre box of Indiana's Weaver Popcorn. The fast-paced story progression and continuous clean, homey, humor is reminiscent of this author's much acclaimed series of Harmony books. This autobiography is the perfect start, followed then with the entire series. Don't forget the two Christmas specials, both so so-o-o funny, they are like Christmas classics. The wife and I actually sent copies out as Christmas cards to special friends.Yes, I do own almost every Gulley book. His humorous books could potentially be equaled, but never surpassed in fun entertainment. You'd best read it twice because it is packed so full of laughs you'll likely miss some of the subtle humor during just one read. Recommended without reservation, and you don't even have to be a native of Indiana to enjoy. Just a kid at heart.Even older youth will like "I LOVE YOU, MISS HUDDLESTON".With Amazon's price--IT IS A BARGAIN BARREL OF LAUGHS.

Years ago I read both 'Hometown Tales', and 'Front Porch Tales' and absolutely loved them. This latest book of short stories was no different. Mr Gulley has become my 'Master of Main Street'! Every time I picked up this book, I was transported to a simpler time, a place where I would love to have grown up, or have my son grow up. Heck, I even googled Danville, In, tried (unsuccessfully) to convince my husband to retire early from the Navy, and pack up and move to this sweet little town I have never been to!It was strange though, to read this book from the perspective of a mother. Had I read this a few short years ago, I'd have laughed and shook my head at the crazy antics of young boys...now, however, I found myself saying (to no one in particular)...'Where's you bike helmet??', 'Omg, he's gonna lose an eye!', 'Are these kids INSANE?!?! They're never gonna live to see 20?!' (and I'm only 28!). Also, I just love Mr. Gulley's dry sense of humor. He's funny without trying to be, and he embellishes his stories just enough so you get the gist of what happened, but with a little added amusement thrown in.I DEFINITELY recommend this book, and any other Gulley book you may be interested in. He's a great storyteller, and it's an absolute joy to read his books. Pull up a rocking chair, grab a sweet tea, and be transported to a time when kids were rough and tumble, bike riding, knee-scraping kids.

Product as expected. Slow delivery and paired with another selection from same seller - in separate packages. No break in shipping from the same house.Much prefer Prime!

This was a fun and easy read that kept me smiling through out the book. I grew up the same time as the author (we are about 6 month’s difference in age) and even though I lived in the Bay area of California, Phil and I had many similar touchstone experiences. There were parts in his story that I actually laughed out loud and not just a LOL. Thank you for a wonderful story about a boy growing up, playing hard, getting into mischief and loving it all along the way. I highly recommend this book.

I was sadden to find that this book is just a repeat of his other works, with a different title. If you’ve read any of his older books, save your money, you’ve read this one. The stories are repeats. I guess one could just start with this book….

Funnier than I expected. Down home stories of kindness from a more simple time.