Have you ever wondered what hitchhiking, bird-chasing, and picture-framing have in common with life’s biggest lessons? This review uncovers the strange ways one man stitched them together.
Book Title & Author:
Chasing Contrary Canons by Mike Marks
Genre, Sub-genres, and Themes:
Memoir; Literary Nonfiction, Autobiographical Anecdotes; Themes: resilience, identity, rebellion, memory, family, reinvention
Review
Some books read like polished marble—smooth, solid, without cracks. Others, like Chasing Contrary Canons, are mosaics, with jagged edges and odd colors that somehow form a beautiful whole. Mike Marks offers a memoir that refuses to be confined to linear narrative. Instead, it is a collection of stories stitched from childhood innocence, adolescent rebellion, cross-country wanderings, brushes with the law, brushes with love, and brushes with mortality.
The significance of this style cannot be overstated. Neuroscience shows that memory itself is not a strict chronology but a patchwork of reconstructed events, altered each time they’re recalled. Reading Marks’ memoir feels like stepping into that mental patchwork—sometimes fragmented, sometimes humorous, sometimes rawly poignant. Rather than diluting the experience, this structure heightens authenticity. Life does not move in tidy chapters; neither does this book.
In one section, you’re with a boy chasing an odd bird across a football field, in another you’re in a college dorm beneath stadium bleachers, and later you’re placing job candidates in the plastics industry with startling success. The connective tissue is not plot but perspective: the restless curiosity and candid wit of a man forever questioning assumptions, forever “chasing contrary canons.”
Why does this matter? Because readers looking for lessons on resilience or self-definition will find them here, not in preachy declarations but in lived example. Marks’ willingness to narrate both triumphs and embarrassments taps into a universal truth: growth often comes not from polish but from mistakes, absurdities, and detours. His stories evoke the same psychological reality that social scientists point to when they explain how humans learn—through trial, error, and reframing.
Of course, some may find his candid accounts surprising in tone. The memoir includes brushes with substances, messy relationships, and cultural upheavals of the 1960s and beyond. Yet these details serve more as cultural markers than sensationalism, reminding us that personal stories are inseparable from the eras in which they unfold.
This book is for readers who savor authenticity over perfection, who find meaning in the unusual, and who prefer a storyteller who laughs as much at himself as at the world. It’s not for those seeking a neat arc or sanitized life lessons; the edges remain rough. But in a world that often prizes overly curated narratives, the rawness here is refreshing.
Ultimately, Chasing Contrary Canons is not about rebellion for rebellion’s sake. It is about how one individual’s zigzagging path—through family upheaval, countercultural scenes, entrepreneurial experiments, and late-life reflections—adds up to something deeply human. The book reminds us that perhaps the most enduring legacy is not the accolades we collect but the anomalies we notice, the canons we question, and the stories we dare to tell.
Content Warning: Contains references to drug use, mild sexual situations, and adult themes.
Other Stories
Learning to Say Goodbye by Alexandra Dionisio
Have you ever wondered why certain memories resurface only when life grows unbearably quiet? This write-up explores how one woman uncovers that answer—quietly, steadily, and only if you read on.
Keep reading
Review of The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
This is a richly layered story that not only entertains but also educates readers about Indian culture, gender roles, and the struggle for self-empowerment. For fans of historical fiction that’s deeply tied to its setting, this is a must-read.
Keep reading
Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Few books capture the imagination quite like Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus.
Keep reading
And Other Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ by Evan Raiff
Have you ever wondered if every form of love—from heartbreak to healing—can be described without saying “I love you”? Discover how one poet tries, and why words almost fail.
Keep reading
LindaAnn LoSchiavo on Turning Caregiving into Creative Expression
Have you ever wondered whether a childhood annoyance—like clunky greeting-card rhymes—could shape an entire artistic life? This interview reveals how such moments transformed LindaAnn’s creative path, but only if you read on.
Keep readingWe’d love to hear from you!
What are your thoughts on this piece? Share your insights in the comments below!
- What stood out to you most about this post?
- Have you read a book recently that relates to the themes discussed here?
- What’s your favorite takeaway or reflection from this write-up?
Let’s keep the conversation going—your thoughts make this space richer!
Disclaimer: The content on this site is provided for informational and inspirational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, the views expressed in reviews, articles, and recommendations are subjective and may not reflect the opinions of all readers.
We receive complimentary copies of all books we review. However, this practice does not compromise the integrity or honesty of our reviews. Every write-up reflects the contributor’s genuine impressions and critical analysis, ensuring transparency and trust with our readers.
For a complete understanding of our practices, please refer to our full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. These documents outline how we manage your information, ensure transparency, and uphold your rights as a user.
To request for a review, to nominate your favorite book for an award, or for more details about our awards, click here.
Other Stories
Finding Magic in the Everyday with Felicia Jones
Have you ever wondered whether a magical house could teach you more about envy than real life ever has? This piece uncovers that answer—and more—through Felicia Jones’s warm, imaginative insights.
Bridges of Words: Haikus Uniting Cultures from 57 Countries of the World by Esperanza Pretila
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the world’s most distant cultures whispered their secrets into the same tiny poem? This piece explores how—you’ll discover it only by reading the full write-up.
The Song of Hadariah by Alisse Lee Goldenberg
Have you ever wondered why some people remember ancient stories as if they lived them themselves? This question sparks a surprising journey—one you’ll only understand by reading the full review.
OneTribune 