Read this book

canadian blog awards

Winner 2013 LGBT category

I have just finished,

Jeannette Winterson’s,

why be

A must read.

I finished it and wished,

I hadn’t,

I wanted it to go,

on.

Now I want to share it,

with as many people as possible.

It’s that kind of book.

I have loved Winterson’s books,

for many years.

She has taken me on,

many,

journeys.

I read her first book,

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit,

and,

from then on,

I loved her,

I trusted her,

she spoke to me.

I was willing to follow,

on strange,

narrative journeys,

that I might not have,

embarked on,

with other writers,

The Powerbook,

Written On The Body,

Lighthousekeeping,

I liked all of them.

Winterson,

is a brilliant erudite,

writer,

yet,

in no way,

inacessible.

Not wordy,

clear,

poetic,

allegorical,

this sounds,

contradictory,

I imagine,

and,

yet,

it is all those things,

to me.

This book is about,

overcoming,

a difficult childhood,

and,

becoming,

who you are meant to be.

She whitewashes nothing,

but,

she demonises nothing,

she tells the truth,

it is neither,

an optimistic book,

nor,

a pessismistic one.

Winterson tells the truth,

as she has learned it,

no coddling,

no revisionist history,

truth.

Great book.

You all know,

I don’t do reviews,

I hate spoilers,

and,

I hate passing judgment.

I like to give appreciations,

and,

I rarely,

if ever,

write about a book,

I disliked.

Read this book,

it’s worth your time,

I intend to re-read it,

once it does,

the rounds.

Mom is next to read it

🙂

I could quote many passages,

but,

this,

I think gives you an idea,

of what I mean,

when,

I ‘say’,

truth.

I have noticed that doing the sensible thing is only a good idea when the decision is quite small. for the life changing things, you must risk it.  And here is the shock-when you risk it, when you do the right thing, when you arrive at the borders of common sense and cross into unknown territory, leaving behind you all the familiar smells and lights, then you do not experience great joy and huge energy. You are unhappy. Things get worse. It is a time of mourning. Loss. Fear. We bullet ourselves through with questions. And then we feel shot and wounded. And then all the cowards come out and say, “See, I told you so”. In fact they told you nothing.

page 63-64

Frank and raw,

also funny,

and uplifting.

Read this book,

you won’t regret it.

Later girls,

BB

 

 

Author: Bookish Butch

I am a bookish butch in my mid early fifties. I live in Montréal and always have. I used to run a small used bookstore. Reading keeps me sane. My latest jiggie is photography, book project in the works, living the dream

2 thoughts on “Read this book”

  1. Hello, BB: Did I ever mention that math is not my first language..? (that skill testing question 😉 )

    Normal is highly overrated, but Winterson’s growing up years … words fail. Life moments are always raw and emotional, even in absolute stillness, shot through with much that is funny and uplifting. And even loving and transcendent. Which is why it is crazy to listen to anyone who can only open their mouths to say nothing. Or growl at them and make them run away. 😉

  2. Frances! where you been girl?? sorry about the math thing(btw, I hear you on that but, must keep spam at bay)
    It is an amazing read, not a boring moment and I thought she was more than fair , well worth the time, don’t you agree?
    Nice to hear from you, hope all is well, big butchy hug:-)

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