“Leaving the Nest” @ 21: Pre-Internet “Coming of Age” Journal

By: Jack Salk

Runaway Plot:
This is a mostly, unedited, 1987 Journal/Diary from a 21-year-old. Struggling with "coming of age" during the outset of a culture in crisis - white, lower-middle-class Americans in New York. This book includes the realization and pressures young people face until the decision is made to "fly the coop."

Mormon Conflict Plot:
After growing up in Utah, as a gentile (non-Mormon), he makes friends from Utah while living in New York. The social benefit of being around people from Utah became a nurturing remedy to the New York culture shock. Jack attends secular, social activities provided by the Mormons to meet girls from back home.

Role ID Plot:
The story dives into the middle-class struggle of living with parents and an older brother who work while Jack plans to continue his education. Although three adults worked, this became a difficult proposition living in the New York City metropolitan area.

Traditional family, religious, and cultural influences of the 1980s can be examined over the arc of the story from Jack being pushed out of the home.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1983043060
• ISBN13: 9781983043062
• Release Date: May 2018
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 155 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.4" x 6.0"