Why be Happy When You Could be Normal?
Who could resist such a title? My first thoughts as I was reading this biography were that although the story is a sad one, Winterson does not come across as a victim.
She was adopted when she was six months old by a devoutly religious
couple. They were strict and the mother emotionally withdrawn. No books
were allowed, except the bible, and punishments were very harsh. Instead
her experiences, which include an exorcism have given Winterson plenty
to write about. The way she writes is often humourous and
non-judgemental of her parents and seeks to understand them. However she
is haunted by her experiences and is forever looking for a home and
someone she can love and trust.
My second thoughts were how other authors like Joan Didion and
Jeanette Walls have also written about their sad and heartbreaking
experiences but because they are such good writers we as readers are
uplifted by their stories. They do not let sentiment get in the way of
the story and seem to want to focus on what good can come out of their
experiences.
The final chapters focus on Wintersons search in later years for her
biological mother. Her mantra is she must have loved me if she kept me
for 6 months. She finds her mother and once again Winterson handles this
with care and humility.
Winterson leaves us with more questions than answers about early childhood experiences and how they form us.
Published by Jonathan Cape,
part of Vintage Publishing
Reviewed by Chris Page
