A PAPER ORCHESTRA

Jamin, a veteran television writer, offers a collection of personal essays.

The author has always had a flair for the dramatic; as a child he would summon his mother to tuck him into bed by proclaiming, “Send down the queen!” A natural storyteller, Jamin is best known for his work as an Emmy-nominated television writer for shows including King of the Hill and Rules of Engagement. As he admits, however, “Professionally speaking, I don’t write what I want to write.” In this collection of personal essays, the author relishes the “tension between fiction and nonfiction” that balances reality with the playful spirit of creative writing. While Hollywood celebrities make occasional appearances, the stars of this work are the cast of characters who shaped Jamin’s upbringing, such as his military veteran father, who tried to toughen up his son (who spent his childhood building stick houses for imaginary creatures) by sending him to judo lessons. Another chapter features a cameo from the author’s creative-writing professor, who carried two bags to class—a sophisticated leather satchel that contained the great tomes of Western literature and a brown paper grocery bag that was home to student papers. In addition to all the life lessons, ill-fated romances, and adolescent hijinks, Jamin’s Jewish identity is a recurring theme: “Merry Jewish Christmas” reflects the author’s childhood belief that “Christmas was the greatest party I’d never be invited to.” Readers looking for a stereotypical Hollywood insider’s tell-all will not find much in the way of tantalizing gossip here, and some readers may be nonplused by the book’s conversational, nonlinear narratives that don’t adhere to a chronological timeline. Those who appreciate the power of simple stories to tell us about human nature, however, or who are bewitched by a storyteller who has mastered his craft, will find a delightful collection of vignettes. “Even though the details are mine,” Jamin writes, “these stories are all of ours.”

A lovely anthology that strikes a perfect balance between humor and poignancy.