The patchwork construction of this book is like a time worn quilt; a faded tapestry, reminding you of ages past. Memories run together, so emphatic they obscure a diamonds reflection, clouding what is really true. Having worn edges and faded colored threads, the truth of these tales seems to disappear from the fabric of reality. The histories are all basically true, but at times are prone to whims of fiction and the fancies of exaggeration. They are told by Christopher Sergeant, a consummate liar, about his family and his travails finally finding the courage to accept his sexuality. Forty Years in the Closet, along with the stories in the section titled, Illness and Healing, follow Chris tripping along life's road, kicking and screaming. The narrative is often amusing, yet poignant. It may be inspirational to know that Chris perseveres, amidst all the gory wit and sarcasm, surviving the Sergeant family saga.
