Ken White’s Getaway Day is a quiet and deeply reflective coming-of-age memoir that understands the power of memory. It does not rush. It does not perform. Instead, it invites the reader to sit beside the author and watch a life unfold through small moments that carry lasting weight.
At its heart, this book is about fathers and sons, and about the ways love is shown without always being spoken. Baseball serves as both a backdrop and a bridge. It connects generations, seasons, and values. White writes about the game not as a spectacle but as a shared language. One that allows closeness, understanding, and time spent together. Even readers who are not sports fans will find meaning here because the story is not really about baseball. It is about belonging.
The writing is honest and unforced. White uses detail carefully, grounding his memories in places, sounds, and ordinary days. The Central Valley of California feels lived in rather than described. The historical moments woven into the narrative add context without overpowering the personal story. They remind us that growing up is never separate from the wider world, even when we are not aware of it at the time.
What makes Getaway Day stand out is its emotional restraint. The author does not tell the reader what to feel. He trusts the story to do the work. Moments of fear, joy, loss, and pride are presented plainly, which makes them more powerful. The relationship between the narrator and his father is especially well drawn. It feels real, complicated, and familiar in a way many readers will recognize.
This book reads like a conversation you did not know you needed. It is thoughtful without being heavy and nostalgic without being sentimental. It respects the reader’s intelligence and patience. Getaway Day will resonate with anyone who has looked back on childhood and realized how much of it stayed with them. It is a calm, meaningful, and rewarding read. I strongly recommend spending time with this book.
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Author: Ken White
Page Count: 400
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Charlotte White
