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Disclosure

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Dana Teen Lomax

December 2011

Aimee Nicole

Disclosure is by far one of the most interesting books I have ever read. It should perhaps be called “Full Disclosure,” as Lomax presents us with so many fragments from various areas of her life. Some pieces disclosed to us are FAFSA forms, an acceptance letter into the Peace Corps, pay stubs from several different jobs (including Taco Bell), student reviews of her teaching skills, bank statements, and medical forms. Lomax has no qualms about baring all of the personal, private information in these documents.

Disclosure is by far one of the most interesting books I have ever read. It should perhaps be called “Full Disclosure,” as Lomax presents us with so many fragments from various areas of her life. Some pieces disclosed to us are FAFSA forms, an acceptance letter into the Peace Corps, pay stubs from several different jobs (including Taco Bell), student reviews of her teaching skills, bank statements, and medical forms. Lomax has no qualms about baring all of the personal, private information in these documents.

We learn many interesting things about the author’s life. Her dog was impounded from being left in a hot car, her banking is done with Wells Fargo, and she was almost a straight A student. She even includes an income tax form stating that she owed the state ten dollars and eighty-two cents. Rather than reading lengthy prose full of description and scene setting and explanation, Lomax strings together 81 pages of self-explanatory photocopies. Each stands on its own, telling an individual story, but works with the rest of the items to weave the life story of Dana Lomax thus far.

This e-mail sent to Lomax in September 2010, made me laugh out loud:

Hi Ms. Lomax,

Thank you for your interest in our Twin Registry. You have been a member since February 2009 and we’d like to have your twin register so you are eligible for studies.

Sincerely,

Ruth Krasnow
Coordinator
Twin Research Registry

All of her entries are entertaining and make you laugh, sigh, or applaud her accomplishments. Copies of her physical examinations were interesting to read, especially as they were created for a live person rather than a fictional character. One of the notes says: “has yeast, using vagina cream.” There are no embarrassing explanations or hiding of information. Lomax presents us with unaltered documents to read and ponder before moving on to the next piece of the puzzle. She once received a bill from a radiology appointment for $800 with a handwritten note on it:

Please call our office regarding your insurance.

Thank you,

925-3690

It is such a typical happening that it makes me laugh, having received a similar bill demanding money even though my insurance was supposedly still active. The book is concise and beautifully arranged; each artifact propelled me forward and made me hungry for more. An intriguing way to present the concept of memoir, Disclosure is a pleasure to read.

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