Less than Human

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Pub Date 21 Jan 2016 | Archive Date 30 May 2018

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Description

In Less than Human, Allen Long tells the story of his often nightmarish childhood in the wealthy suburbs of D.C., the wonders and mysteries of teenage love, his ill-advised journeys into corporate America and a hellish marriage, and ultimate breakdown. And yet, his story is mostly one of triumph. He draws strength from the joys of fatherhood, he finds true love in his second marriage, and through working with psychotherapists and leading a life rich in self-examination, he overcomes both child abuse and the resulting PTSD, finally learning that instead of being less than... he is, indeed... human.

Less than Human follows an unconventional path, arranged as much by theme and association as by chronology. These stories take many forms, from driving narrative to lyrical reverie, at times evoking mythic overtones, and this variety, along with an unflinching confrontation with the conditions and consequences of childhood abuse, creates its own form of suspense-in what direction will this book take us next?

In Less than Human, Allen Long tells the story of his often nightmarish childhood in the wealthy suburbs of D.C., the wonders and mysteries of teenage love, his ill-advised journeys into corporate...


Advance Praise

“In Less Than Human, Allen Long presents us with unflinchingly honest snapshots of his life. Opening with a piece that sows the seeds for one relationship's dissolution and ending with another that depicts another shot at happiness, Less Than Human is a memoir that memorably traces the ups and downs of one man's journey.”

—Ian Chung, Editor, Eunoia Review

“Like the Roman god Janus, Allen Long looks bravely back into his life while simultaneously finding the strains in his experiences that will lead him forward. In these stories, he confronts childhood traumas, divorce, and his own journey as a father and human being, with unblinking honesty. If writing great nonfiction is about the act of discovery, Allen has done it here. These stories are beautifully wrought, deeply felt, and full of the detail that brings the past vividly to life.”

—Matthew Zanoni Müller, Drops on the Water: Stories about Growing Up from a Father and Son


“In Less Than Human, Allen Long presents us with unflinchingly honest snapshots of his life. Opening with a piece that sows the seeds for one relationship's dissolution and ending with another that...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781612966380
PRICE $2.99 (USD)

Average rating from 4 members


Featured Reviews

The author writes about his childhood and adult life in a series of essays. Despite having many grim parts, the author was able to convey a positivity throughout that I found to be inspiring. Well written and an interesting read!

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Very short book, and is a little all over the place. Bounces back and forth from being a young child and then as an adult. Found it hard to follow along because it reads like a bunch of short stories, but at different time frames of the authors life. Wasn't any real flow to the narrative.
Liked that it was about mental illness and getting through it. I enjoy the different views of mental illness and it is great that the author has told his story.

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