TBLBITW 2.0

During our lively Nov. 1 discussion of The Best Little Boy in the World, the 1973 memoir by "John Reid" (Andrew Tobias), David Boxwell shared that he had read the follow-up volume Tobias published 25 years later: The Best Little Boy in the World Grows Up.  David wasn't particularly impressed by either book, if memory serves, but was kind enough to lend the latter installment to me.

Now that I've finished it, I can assure those of you whom the original book's tone put off that you would find TBLBITWGU a relief.  True to his title, Tobias really did grow up (in most respects, anyway), and has the grace to acknowledge that he has rethought some of his past attitudes.  

That said, if you really couldn't stand "John Reid," you won't enjoy the company of Andrew Tobias, either.  But I did.  In fact, if he were to publish a third volume (in the tradition of Michael Apted's acclaimed series of "Up" movies) about being a gay widower in his 70s, I'd be eager to read it.