Eugene Wallace is the author of Hysterical Memories, a memoir about his life and experiences in the early 20th century. We sat down with him for an exclusive interview to learn more about his book and its impact on readers.
“My book is mainly about my thoughts and memories from my childhood to adulthood,” said Eugene. “It was important to me that it be accurate so I spent a long time researching different aspects of the time period in order to make sure what I wrote was factual.”
When asked how he felt when he saw people’s reaction to his work, Eugene smiled. “I never expected such a strong response from readers but hearing their stories really made me feel like I had accomplished something special,” he said. “One of my main goals was to bring the past to life for people who hadn’t experienced it before and seeing people connect with the book in such a meaningful way made it all worthwhile.”
Eugene also shared that one thing he hopes readers take away from Hysterical Memories is an appreciation for our shared history. “I think it’s important to remember where we come from in order to understand how far we have come,” he said.
There’s no doubt that Eugene Wallace has touched many lives with his memoir, Hysterical Memories. With its vivid descriptions and thoughtful lessons, this book is a must-read. Visit Eugene Wallace’s Website
The three biggest killers of human beings is Caffine, Sugar and Alcohol, smoking is an aggressive form of suicide. ~ Author Eugene Wallace
Buy Hysterical Memories on Amazon
In an exclusive interview, Wallace told us that he hopes his memoir will inspire others to never give up on their dreams. He says that he wrote the book for himself, as a form of therapy, but also as a way to help others who may be struggling with similar challenges. Wallace also hopes that the book will help to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The title of your memoir alludes to a tumultuous journey marked by struggles with mental health and unlawful activities, yet it culminates in an inspiring transformation. Can you tell us about a key moment that motivated you to write your life story? All my life I wanted to write my life story, even as a young kid I was motivated by a song by The Beatles called Paper Back Writer, but when it came to writing I found it was not easy, and in my book, I mention about an old friend I used to work with, he name is Rodney, and he is a chef, and he kept sending me text messages to my phone, and also on Facebook, showing off how great he was doing in life, he is a chef and he would send me details of his new businesses to try to make me feel jealous, it was at that point where I thought “Right You Bastard” Now I am going to write my book, and I have done it so it is a dream come true for me.
In your memoir, you mentioned several instances of battling an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Can you talk about some of the specific challenges this has posed in your personal and professional life? My mental illness is called “Borderline Personality Disorder”, plus I also have an illness called Bipolar, My illness made it impossible for me to hold down a job working as a chef which was what I was qualified to be, I just could not get along with people, so I only lasted working for a few weeks, plus I have not had a relationship since I was age 19 and I am now age 59, so I have been single and alone for the past 40 years, plus there have been lots of opportunities to hook up with women, but cos of my illness I felt I was not good enough, and it really hurt my feelings as I really did want to hook up with the women, as they were good looking, but I just had no self-esteem, I felt I was not good enough, so I had to suffer alone in silence for 40 years.
Your journey towards becoming one of the UK’s finest chefs, despite your past, is truly inspiring. What was the most significant obstacle you faced in this culinary journey, and how did you overcome it? When I was training to be a chef, I had enrolled in a three-year college course and my biggest problem was trying to survive living on the Isle of Wight, it is all documented in my book, and for the three years I managed to keep a roof over my head, this was my biggest challenge.
You’ve transitioned from a convicted drug dealer to an acclaimed chef, which is an enormous transformation. Could you tell us how your past experiences influenced your current approach to life in general? In my life now I have become a very honest person, whereas when I was a drug dealer all I knew was dishonesty, what really changed my life was in 1996 I paid about £150 to buy a book called “The Neo Tech Zon Power Discovery” By Dr Frank Wallace. This book changed my whole life in every possible way, and it gave me Great Personal Power to become Honest.
Any tips for aspiring writers and authors? I have found that living my life in Solitude has been a great help to me in becoming a writer, as it can be a very lonely existence, and when I am an unknown writer, it can be hard to keep going as you start thinking that is all this time in isolation is it for Nothing, is anybody ever going to read my writing, but it got to the point in my life where I had nothing else I could do, so, I started giving it 100% effort. Buy Hysterical Memories on Amazon
As an author and a person who has overcome so many challenges, what message or advice would you like to give to others who may be facing similar struggles? What is the takeaway you want readers to have from your memoir? My message to all the people who read my book called Hysterical Memories, is you can all live a great and fantastic Life, and you have the power to make your dreams come true, for the people of the planet Earth my great Gift I can give you all, would be to get yourself a copy of the book I wrote about called “The Neo Tech Zon Power Discovery” as it will open your eyes to Reality, and it will give You all Great Personal Power, and I like to say Keep away from Drugs and Alcohol, as they will take Your Dreams away From You, you will likely end up in Jail, and also develop a mental illness, and you will die a painful slow death, and in the next few weeks I must face Brain Surgery as they have detected that I got an Aneurysm and it is 12mm, and it has also become a blood clot, and when they Open my Skull on the operating table, they told me there is a big chance I will get Brain damage, and a stroke, even Death and end up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. “But My Book Will Live On”!
Eugene Wallace’s memoir, Hysterical Memories, is a compelling read that takes readers on a journey through the life of an incredibly resilient individual. His story is one of both trials and triumphs, and his writing is engaging and humorous. Wallace’s honesty and vulnerability in sharing his struggles with mental illness is a powerful reminder of the importance of breaking down stigma and treating individuals with compassion and empathy. We can all learn something from Eugene Wallace’s story – the importance of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.
