网友对句子结构理解错误。

 I wanted a past that, when I explained it to people, compelled no one to ask “Why”? about any part of it.

红色部分为that引导的限制性定语从句，修饰名词past. that为关系代词指代past, 并在从句中作主语，compelled 为定语从句的谓语动词，后接复合宾语sb to do sth。that和谓语动词之间插入了一个时间状语从句when从句。这个句子和同位语没有任何关系。

另外，我觉得 All I wanted to be was normal. 应改为

All I wanted was to be normal. = To be normal was all I wanted.

或者 All I wanted to be was a normal person. = A normal person was all I wanted to be.

这样才与作者后面的内容吻合。看来老外说话也未必都是逻辑严谨。