At the Corner of Guilt and Delight: Growing Up Gay in a Small Southern Town

At the Corner of Guilt and Delight by Jeffery L. Carrier cleverly weaves threads of love, loss, identity, and self-discovery as it follows the author’s journey into accepting who he really is while pursuing his life’s purpose. Carrier delves deep into his life, discussing his childhood, adulthood, and many memorable events so that readers can understand how he became the man he is today. It is emotionally strong. Jeffery leaves no stone unturned when emphasizing the importance of family, self-acceptance, and love. 

This book is heartfelt and insightful and one of the biggest takeaways is the author’s journey towards the acceptance of his sexuality, something he has battled with for sundry years — questioning, dealing with complex feelings, and facing his own fears. The author evokes historical moments like the infamous Watergate scandal and segregation. The author is unapologetically himself and uses his story with the hope that he can make a difference in someone's life:  ''All I've ever wanted is to be happy and feel that I am making a difference in someone's life and hopefully leave a few signs behind that I have been here.''' 

It takes a village to raise a child, which is evident throughout the author's life. So many people contributed to his upbringing, and he details it in this engaging book. And while this poignant story has moments of intensity and epiphanies, there are also moments where the story is repetitive. However, the purpose of this memoir is solid. This is a cleverly written memoir that will appeal to fans of books with gay themes and stories that are psychologically rich and that explore identity. The author’s self-exploration in this book will inspire readers, especially those who feel unaccepted and different.