The covers of author Dr. Harrison Scott Key’s books are shown. Digital Editor-in-Chief Lea D’Angelo reviewed each of the books, and found “The World’s Largest Man,” which discusses Key’s relationship with his father, to be the most engaging. “Key’s ability to balance lighthearted humor with blistering sarcasm makes “The World’s Largest Man” an engaging read as he touches on topics of racism and misogyny that speak not only to the growth of the South but the growth of generations represented in his family in a way that mirrors the complexities of both,” D’Angelo wrote. Photos fair use of Goodreads
Author Dr. Harrison Scott Key’s three books tell real, honest stories in ways that balance humor and reflection.
Review: “The World’s Largest Man”
Football, hunting and fatherhood. These three themes come together to form American author Dr. Harrison Scott Key’s “The World’s Largest Man.”
Released on May 12, 2015, the memoir details Key’s relationship with his father and the longstanding impact it had on his life, from his early childhood growing up in rural Mississippi to his marriage and experiences as a father in Savannah, Ga..
The novel is made up of anecdotes, each a story of its own that feeds seamlessly back into the main storyline. The book closely resembles a hall of doors, full of rooms of secrets and stories to explore while simultaneously connecting back to the main hallway and the point of the story: Key’s father.
A melting pot of Southern stories and the multiple facets of his Southern identity, Key’s “The World’s Largest Man” is an engaging series of anecdotes, all channeling down into the deeper meaning.
Key’s ability to balance lighthearted humor with blistering sarcasm makes “The World’s Largest Man” an engaging read as he touches on topics of racism and misogyny that speak not only to the growth of the South but the growth of generations represented in his family in a way that mirrors the complexities of both.
However, the abrupt transition from lighthearted anecdotes about topics like three-wheeler racing to deep reflections on fatherhood and the meaning of life might be confusing for some readers.
A melting pot of Southern stories and the multiple facets of his Southern identity, Key’s “The World’s Largest Man” is an engaging series of anecdotes, all channeling down into the deeper meaning.
Review: “Congratulations, Who Are You Again?”
“Oh, okay.”
Have you ever had a dream, something you desperately wanted to accomplish and this was the extent of the response you got?
That feeling of chasing after a dream no one but you believe in is what American author Dr. Harrison Scott Key explores in his second book “Congratulations, Who Are You Again?” which was published on Nov. 6, 2018.
Key is a master of almost literally putting the reader inside the author’s head and giving a satirical impersonation of a “How to…” guide for writers.
The memoir is Key’s second and follows his journey to becoming the humorous, polished writer he is now. Key recounts everything, from early morning writing sessions to the months spent on the road for a tour he wasn’t sure anyone would even show up for, in a way that is both witty and honest.
What truly stands out is Key’s ability to weave metaphors that would be considered nonsensical in almost any other author’s book but in a manner that doesn’t seem overdone. For example, he describes having a dream as “You give birth to a dream and nurse the baby until it is big and strong and monstrous, and you can share your dream-baby monster with the world.”
He also manages to balance his seemingly endless sarcastic quips with insightful anecdotes containing themes about family and various obstacles.
Key is a master of almost literally putting the reader inside the author’s head and giving a satirical impersonation of a “How to…” guide for writers. Despite the humor, some might find the nonfiction elements of the text a bit dry, even with the pile of sarcasm they come with, such as Key’s long-winded descriptions of the publishing industry.
While on the surface, “Congratulations, Who are You Again?” seems to be just a book for aspiring authors or fans of Key’s previous works, it’s actually an inspiring read for anyone who dares to dream.
Review: “How To Stay Married
American author Dr. Harrison Scott Key’s third and most recent memoir “How To Stay Married,” released on June 13, 2023, gives readers a complex look into Christianity and the role it plays in marriage.
The book describes Key’s experiences within his marriage, particularly the years after he discovers his wife has been having an affair, making this book best suited for a mature audience.
Like his other works, Key manages to make even dark situations funny, but some readers might find this an instance where he takes it too far. For example, at one point he states, “You’d sooner get Vladimir Putin to ride a unicycle in the Pride Parade than hear my wife apologize.”
While statements like this have truth to them, there’s also the glaring fact that he’s talking about a real person, sharing a thought many would not think to put on paper for the world to read.
“Like his other works, Key manages to make even dark situations funny, but some readers might find this an instance where he takes it too far.
Although blunt, Key’s use of anecdotes paint an engaging picture, employing a unique level of honesty. He jumps between stories with ease, each one filled with complexities and realness, but in a way that flows well.
Beyond the scope of his marriage, Key’s internal grappling with Christianity and his experiences with religion tell a story relatable to many audiences with the usual sarcasm and wit to go with it.
Overall, “How to Stay Married,” is a mixture of relatability and unwarranted truths with a variety of mature topics and discussions.
