Review of “Life Lessons in the City of Roses” by Russell Beck

★★★★★

Russell Beck moved around a lot in his life. He has written a series of books, each about one of his life experiences. I picked this one because I was particularly interested in his years in Portland, Oregon during the 1970s.

Beck relates this phase of his life in a series of short chapters, each very clearly written and easy to read. He is a great storyteller, recounting humorous, winsome and impactful moments in charming little vignettes. Along the way, Beck reflects on the lessons he learned from living in Portland. As he says, “…the best lessons don’t come from textbooks or sermons. They come from living, messy, unpredictable, often hilarious, sometimes painful living.”

In Portland, he makes lasting friendships and meets his first wife. He attends college and learns just as much outside the classroom. He shares some of his regrets, too, like the time he saw a beautiful woman who he failed to approach. He writes, “She has stayed in my mind all these years, a reminder of how much courage matters in small moments. Back then, I couldn’t muster it.” We also see how Beck first navigates the work world with varying degrees of success.

Beck’s exhilaration for life shines through the prose, as does his sense of humor. “Life Lessons in the City of Roses” is a quick read about a vulnerable time in a young man’s life when he is just coming into his own. I could completely relate to Beck’s experiences and very much enjoyed reading about them and his insight into what he learned from living in Portland. As Beck perceptively points out, “growth happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable.”

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