Review: Dutch Preacher Boy by Tuna Fisch

From the life of an immigrant in Western Michigan to the overwhelming allure of Los Angeles and the sweat-soaked streets of Latin America, Dutch Preacher Boy: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids, Taking Wing Beyond* by Tuna Fisch is an unpredictable and deeply compelling memoir.

The author’s unforgettable childhood in the beauty of Holland and his exciting journey to the “New World” sets the tone for the story, summoned by a razor-sharp memory and the ability to paint rich and immersive scenes, even from five decades ago. His sense of childlike wonder and excitement is everywhere in the prose, which lends a certain innocence to the writing, particularly during his years of discovery in Grand Rapids. His eventual entrance to the seminary, and the subsequent challenges he faces with his own faith and future, add even more depth and uncertainty to his life’s arc, making it impossible not to root for his success.

These chronological recollections feel like a decades-long diary come alive, but the specific moments and chosen memories are carefully chosen, highlighting the author’s seminal instances of acceptance, understanding, rejection, assimilation, ambition, and self-doubt. This is particularly true when it comes to his complex relationship with religion; even as a youth, he was unafraid to question dogma and push the boundaries of what was acceptable in his strict community. As he grows up and experiences the fascinating realms of art, advertising, and entertainment, he must find a way to balance this with his spiritual background.

With a narrative voice that is part preacher, part bard, and part carnival barker, this story is imbued with casual intimacy, just like the two old friends meeting “on a virtual park bench” that kicked off the author’s self-reflection. His endless curiosity and keen powers of analysis make his journey feel like a perpetual experiment, unafraid of what he might find. The high-energy storytelling requires readers to pay close attention, or they’ll miss the clever turns of phrase, succinct tangents, and off-the-cuff revelations. Even so, the standalone nature of these stories is also impressive; Fisch manages to craft quick and complete stories from the fodder of his own experience, complete with valuable lessons and miniature story arcs in every chapter.

The informality of the book, which can occasionally feel like an unadulterated stream-of-consciousness, makes the story accessible, but it can also be demanding to keep up with the writer’s train of thought. On a more technical level, there are some errors that could be cleaned up with a final edit, including some tense disagreements and certain grammatical and syntactical slips. The chapters also have the tendency to end in similar ways, such as a wrap-up quote or an attempt at a comical closing; at times, these endings can feel clipped or abbreviated, as though the author is in a hurry to plunge into the next tale.

Those minor critiques aside, Dutch Preacher Boy is a masterfully penned memoir, inviting readers to witness a life through a fresh set of eyes, and to gain valuable insights that are universally relevant, regardless of religion, ethnicity, profession, or age.