This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
Born to a family of artist in 1942, Gil’s family nurtured his imagination throughout his early years. Creative positions were awarded him throughout his life; such as Reporter for the Military News Paper Stars and Stripes, National Advertising Production Manager for the world largest swimwear manufacturer, a twenty-five year career as a Restaurant Designer, Official Portrait Artist for the 2003/04 Western Conference Basketball Champions Sacramento Kings, and his artworks chosen to hang at the 2000 California State Fair.
It was in 1990, he began to compile his material for his first book A Walk Back Home, and in 2009 he set aside paintbrushes and canvas and began writing. Unhappy with his first draft he attended local college creative writing classes, and it was there he met seven wonderful individuals, and together they would form a critique group that would help Gil accomplish his goals..
Gil’s artwork can be viewed at http://theartofgilgarcia.blogspot.com/ and a marriage of his art and his poetry, and book reviews can be viewed at http://awalkbackhome.weebly.com/#/
A Walk Back Home is now available at Amazon.com, Kindle, and can be ordered at Barnes and Noble.com
Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite
A Walk Back Home by Gilbert Garcia is a memoir relating the details of his boyhood, growing up in a Mexican family in the south side of Los Angeles. His story is composed of short vignettes, told from the young boy’s perspective, in the '40s and '50s. The specific, descriptive details are reminders of how family life was lived in that era. Each chapter begins with lists of movies and/or television shows, costs of items from houses to a gallon of milk, and events in the news. This trip down Memory Lane, enhanced with many funny stories, is a joy to read. Anyone who grew up in this era will appreciate references to hand-me-down’s, listening to favorite radio shows, day trips in the family car, baloney sandwiches, and Kool-aid.
Gilbert Garcia, author of A Walk Back Home, is an accomplished artist and has included many beautiful sketches throughout the book. One theme I especially enjoyed was the fact that his family did not have an abundance of material goods, but they were rich in family love and support, like so many other families after the Great Depression. While the parents provided strict discipline, there was a deep caring for each child. In Gilbert’s case, the mother, who also had artistic talents, encouraged him in his artwork. Gilbert Garcia utilizes many examples of how this loving guidance evolved into values he still holds dear. Readers who lived through this era will delight in recalling memories. Younger readers may develop a greater understanding of parents’ and grandparents’ experiences and values.
