Do-Over

Recently, I was provided with a review copy of Do-Over, by Robin Hemley. It is a non-fiction account of a man's efforts to revisit some of the less pleasant episodes of his childhood and try to experience them again, this time with more favourable results.

Some examples of his do-overs include:

• another attempt at Kindergarten, where he even gets a turn with the Surprise Box (where the kids hide something in a box and then give clues to figure out what it is)
• summer camp revisited, including sleeping in bunks with other campers
• taking another shot at sixth grade, complete with science reports and bullies
• going to prom (he never went to his when he was in high school) with, through a twist of fate, his high school crush

There are other events as well, such as eighth grade and a children's play, and in each one he tries to learn something from his experience.

The book reads well; the stories of his various do-overs are peppered with brief forays into his own childhood, giving the reader some perspective about the author and protagonist. The narrative style works, although occasionally it can be a bit disorienting trying to follow the stories of two sets of classmates or two teachers. His sense of humour is dry and sarcastic, which I personally appreciated, and helps keep the focus that this is a middle aged man doing childish things.

But therein lies my problem with the book. In as much as it is a novel idea to relive parts of childhood, doing so as an adult has consequences. Every do-over starts with a background check (of course), which is an indicator of the nature of his experiment. Ultimately, this is a grown man living life with children, sometimes with uncomfortable results. One example that sticks out for me is in his sixth grade do-over, he encounters a young girl who is annoying and a perfectionist and probably bears more than a passing resemblance to a girl we all went to school with. While jealousy or dislike for a child is OK for another 11 year old, it's disconcerting to read it coming from an adult, and for that adult to go on and say that she will likely date the class bully and have an unwanted pregnancy and live a life full of regrets is a more than uncomfortable experience.

Social awkwardness aside, Do-Over is an interesting and funny book. It is definitely a thought provoking read for parents, as it offers some insight into the classrooms and social interaction of young kids.