James Oseland

I was gung-ho at the beginning of James Oseland’s memoirs Jimmy Neurosis. His relationship with his mother and father has a fascinating spin. His early life of coming out had a sweet genuine twist. As the book progressed, the introduction of punk gave the memoir an unwanted familiarity. Oseland regains his footing in the last 1/3 with his staccato writing with sentences like this “I imagined I was a lit Bunsen burner, the heat of a forceful blue flame pushing up into my mouth.” A recurring grinding of his teeth gives rise to his made-up last name Neurosis. His love/hate relationship with his mother is exposed with the line “Sometimes when I’m with my mom, I feel like I’m being choked.” His growth as a filmmaker, artist, chef, and gay man are all touched upon during the book. The ending feels a been unsatisfying. He may just be planning a part two and wants to leave the reader asking for more.… (meer)