Replays by Gary Hawthorn

A rollicking ride through New Jersey nostalgia, Replays by Gary Hawthorn is a wise and wise-cracking collection of short stories about growing up in the good old days and coming home in your golden years.

Upon returning to his hometown of Cape May, New Jersey, “Hawth” reconnects with his old friend DP Ski and eagerly flings open the filing cabinets of memory as he works on writing down his life of stories. Ranging from serious discussions to silly riffs and everything in between, this dialogue-driven “memoir” is unique and ruggedly charming. The blurring of fact and fiction makes the reading experience especially engaging; it’s impossible to know precisely where the line lies, giving some of these recollections the subtle magic of a tall tale.

Between the off-hand comments and casual reflections, Hawthorn shares a good amount of profound musings and vulnerable self-assessments, on subjects ranging from friendship, addiction, righteous anger, and religion, to life’s purpose, competition, the fate of facts, and the speed of societal progress. As a result, the sharp-tongued and quick-witted exchanges between DP Ski and Hawth become insightful dialogues on contemporary life in all its forms.

In terms of an audience, anyone who has ever spent time in Jersey, or calls it home, will appreciate the unfiltered colloquial flavor and local references, but other readers might find it harder to connect with all the inside jokes and personal anecdotes. That said, Hawthorn’s writing does have a generational appeal; looking back on the past 60 years and the sweeping changes in American society through the casual lens of two old drinking buddies makes for a witty, thought-provoking, and relatable read.