Normal Curve?: (3 Normal?)

Mother once told me, "Every life is a series of stories, and most lives are hundreds of stories tall. It's impossible to read them all, and it's often difficult to distinguish between the fiction and the non-fiction chapters in each one. So, the only way to get to really know someone is through the Reader's Digest version, one issue at a time." The point is, there are hundreds of stories behind the story I'm about to tell you, and every character is an anthology unto themselves. If you have followed their stories before, you are aware of their back issues. If not, I trust that there is enough of the Reader's Digest version that follows to give you enough gist for the mill. This is a story so real, and yet so magical, that you might well think it's fiction. But only those who don't believe in magic will find it so. For the rest of us, the only difference between a literary life, and a physical life, is that a literary life lasts forever. As Mother says, "The Circle of Life is just one big learning curve." NORMAL CURVE? takes us along the Poole-Hall extended family's passage through countless twists and turns, and around a few curves that are anything but normal ... but then again, I'm sure that's what you've been expecting. As he did in the previous two books in this series, NORMAL? and NORMAL TOO?, our narrator, Gene Poole-Hall takes us on a journey that is so real, so extraordinarily full of love, humor, and magic, you may well find yourself wanting to become a member of this fictional family, where you too will live forever. If that doesn't sound normal, welcome to the family.

Review :
Praise for NORMAL CURVE? Normal Curve? tener duende. There is something really special about the word duende. It has a Spanish origin and is used to describe art through the phrase tener duende (to have duende) or to have the quality of evoking overwhelming emotion through expression. And while it was originally only used to describe a flamenco dance performance that was so moving to the audience, it is now also used to describe songs, movies, literature, or any form of art that evokes the same "feel it in your chest" type of influence when taking it in. What I think is particularly special about this word is that it serves as a reminder of how art connects us at the heart. Whether it's two people listening to a song and look into each other's eyes as the melody moves them together, or a single person admiring a painting and feeling the weight of emotion the artist put into the piece, it's a sense of connection that adds so much richness and beauty to Life. To be able to experience something that has duende is both a privilege and a mindset. We must open our eyes and hearts in order to enjoy these little moments of magic. It is a hand-hold, a connection of empathy and understanding that says "I'm here with you," and what a powerful expression of love that is. Normal Curve? is duende. I am so honored to read Normal Curve? before it's officially out. I wanted to recap why I loved the book so much. Probably most of all, I love the emotional intelligence, rawness of and managing complex feelings by men-I think we are lucky to be surrounded by men like this (either being from liberal cities, being around queer folks or just now being in 2024) but I genuinely hope that more straight (& not! It's not exclusively them ha ha) men can read this and just think about how much richer our relationships could be if we break down the patriarchal/toxic masculinity walls and open our hearts to love, understanding & empathy. All in all, my heart was glowing the entire time I read this. -Dr. Camille Cardenas, PT, DPT