Stunt Mole is a tender, often humorous memoir of childhood and coming of age in the Midwest-an exploration of how music, curiosity, and connection can become lifelines in a world that doesn't always feel safe.
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago in the 1960s and 70s, Bill roamed freely through backyards, tree lines, and neighborhood streets, buoyed by imagination, sibling bonds, and the magic of everyday adventure. These early years are remembered as warm and joyful, shaped by family, friendship, and a deep sense of wonder at the natural world.
As innocence gives way to adolescence, however, moments of bullying, shame, and social cruelty intrude, subtly altering how the author moves through the world. Threaded throughout the story is music-as refuge, identity, and salvation. From early performances to formative mentors, music offers sanctuary and direction, helping Bill navigate fear, self-doubt, and the search for belonging.
Written with warmth, honesty, and reflective grace, Stunt Mole asks enduring questions: What does it mean to be brave? How do we define heroism? And how do we heal from wounds we did not yet have words to name?
This memoir will resonate with readers who grew up before constant supervision, who found solace in art or nature, and who believe that resilience is often forged through creativity, love, and the courage to keep showing up.