Sentimentality

The very concept of this book is based on sentimentality, a prominent theme in Bill's life. The very act of returning to America after having been away for twenty years evokes all sorts of sentimental images and emotions for Bill. Some of the more fondly recalled memories are baseball games, both live and broadcast on the radio; the sound of a screen door slamming in summer; and visiting diners in small town America. Bill's mild ridicule and sarcastic style is tempered when sharing his thoughts on his older son going away to college and the void that that creates in the Bryson household. This leave-taking spurs Bill to spend more time with his younger son because he wants to capture as much time with the boy before he too leaves for college. Bill also shares memories of his father throughout the book in events such as driving on...