Fragments of a Mortal Mind is an amazing blend of memoir, journal, and a novel. At first it was hard to get used to the author’s style. But the more I read of Donald Anderson’s book, the easier it became. It is amazing how he acknowledges that our memories may not be accurate, but the fragments of our memories still help us to become who we are. It is a lens into the mind of Donald Anderson as he shares fragments of thoughts throughout his life. This book makes readers think about their own thoughts throughout their lives and how it helps them to understand themselves.

This book took me awhile to get. And to be honest, I'm not sure if I still get it all together. However, what I do get for the author's style of writing, is that I get to be a fly on the wall (or in this case his brain) as he shares his memories, perceptions, and opinions on the life he has been given, from his upbringing to his career choices and his opinions on the effects of war- both the soldier and the society. From this vantage point, it was worth turning page after page to see what else would be revealed. A very interesting read.

This book is just what the titles says, rambling thoughts of the author’s mind. I expected a psychological memoir. I did not finish the book.

An interesting and unique approach to memoir. The author gives, quite literally, fragments of thought and facts that are organized to reflect upon one another. The reader brings their own reflections and interpretations to the whole. This element feels much like spending time in an art gallery looking at a work and bringing your own interpretation and mood to the work. Something to be read in that vein, as a meditative whole. But, if you are a reader who is looking for narrative thread, shifts from book to book, or reads on the go, this one may not be for you.

I remain unsure of how I feel about this book. The idea of this book being "Fragments" is certainly accurate. There are clear themes and threads running throughout this book but random facts that are inserted throughout, in what I presume to be a commentary on stream of consciousness, made the book feel disjunct. There are pieces that I really enjoyed and I even learned a lot from many of the seemingly random bits, but I didn't feel as though it all went together.

This was an interesting and enjoyable read! The author writes this in stream of consciousness on topics of racism and politics to literature and more. These "fragments" were the author's opinions, reflections and thoughts shared in the pages of this book. I thought this was done tastefully and eloquently while still being sensitive when there was a heavier thought. Not exactly what I thought I was going to read but surprised I liked this as much as I did, Recommmended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Donald Anderson and University of Nevada Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Available: 4/6/21

A wide-ranging meditation on memory, fathers, grandfathers, books, cars, mining, and the mysteries and complexities of life in America. This is the kind of book I am always seeking but rarely find, moving in surprising ways from one subject to the next, from Porcsches to oranges to Chaucer, touching always on reading. A joy. I will certainly reread it, quote it to my writing students, and read Anderson's previous books.