“The final philosophical section may appeal to self-help readers as it speaks of his metamorphosis into a super confident person who is happy to share his advice on how to understand life,” writes the US Review of Books of Grant Handgis’ “Marinating in Dream Sauce.”

The story of an “Air Force brat” who is made to feel uneasy by his father is the beginning scenario of “Marinating in Dream Sauce.” The story begins with him missing out on seeing a girl’s genitals when he is nine years old and then jumps to his time as a soldier in Vietnam at the age of eighteen, his wounding, and his return home at the age of nineteen.

The speaker then goes on to talk about his early marriage, children, and how he lost them to his fleeing wife. Then, in greater detail, he recounts regaining custody of his daughter and son, being a decent father, and still realizing that he lacks some necessary qualities. The rest of the book chronicles his various employment as he pursues a career in photography, operates a gallery, and eventually creates films. Handgis’ advice on settling into retirement with his second wife, as well as his opinions on how to comprehend the purpose of life, are given in the last chapters.

 Before it was cool, Grant Handgis grew up as an Air Force brat. That was at the start of the baby-boom era, with one foot firmly planted in undeveloped Victorian traditions instilled in childhood, and the other putting forth great effort to realize ever new and exciting possibilities learned from the many places and cultures visited along the way. All of this contributes to the author’s intriguing sense of comedy in improbable ways.

Two books of poetry, a completely illustrated children’s book, his mother’s historical narrative, a traveler’s guide to Mexico, and five photo books in a series on black and white photography and alternative photographic processes are among the author’s eleven books now in print. And, of course, “Marinating in Dream Sauce” is a fantastic story of philosophical adventure and realization, culminating in a really rich realization. This is the stuff that funny memoirs are built of.

The US Review of Books’ Tani Williams commended Grant Handgis’ book, “Marinating in Dream Sauce,” saying that “When reading this book, it soon becomes evident that the author has put a lot of time and sincerity into this recounting of his life story. His openness in sharing his worries, challenges, and successes works to evoke sympathy in readers.”

Here’s an excerpt from the US Review of Books that highlights:

“The final philosophical section may appeal to self-help readers as it speaks of his metamorphosis into a super confident person who is happy to share his advice on how to understand life.”