The Tooth Fairy: Parents, Lovers, and Other Wayward Deities (A Memoir)

Chase (Winkie) has%E2%80%94deliberately or not%E2%80%94written a memoir for the Twitter age. Constructed of almost entirely of arch single sentences interspersed on rare occasions with some longer paragraphs, he reflects on his family, coming-of-age, sex and his sexual identity, and even someone else's lost luggage. The prose consists of "stray happy memories to counterbalance" difficult episodes from his life. His twee-dious style and content could generate a few knowing smiles from fans, but readers unfamiliar with Chase may find it hard to relate to. When he writes, "Even now, some combination of dread, embarrassment, and longing stops me after each sentence, and I have to take a breath," he is being nakedly honest. But his highly personal feelings, insights, and breakthroughs%E2%80%94particularly in regards to understanding his brother%E2%80%94reveal his insecurities, not universal truths, making it hard for the reader to connect with the memoirist. Likewise, when describing common issues such as aging/dying parents Chase mainly discusses playing "couples counselor" to his folks, and his [not] taking sides. When he focuses on one subject, rather than flits around multiple characters and events Chase shows the strengths of his gimmicky format. However, the few touching parts here are far greater than the whole. (Feb.)