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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
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Check link for latest rating. ( 45,775 ratings, 4,558 reviews)
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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
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The shocking, heart-breaking - and often very funny - true story behind Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.
In 1985 Jeanette Winterson's first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, was published. It was a story of survival.
This book is that story's the silent twin.
The shocking, heart-breaking - and often very funny - true story behind Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a deeply touching memoir by Jeanette Winterson, offering readers a raw, intimate glimpse into her life and the tumultuous journey that shaped her. This compelling narrative unravels the poignant and often painful experiences behind her critically acclaimed first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.
In Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?, Jeanette revisits the terraced house in Accrington where she grew up, detailing her life as an adopted child under the oppressive rule of her Pentecostal mother, Mrs. Winterson. The memoir peels back the layers of a past fraught with rejection, religious zeal, and emotional torment. Yet, it is more than just a recount of adverse childhood experiences; it is also a celebration of survival, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of love and happiness.
With unflinching honesty, Jeanette explores crucial themes such as the search for her biological mother, the quest for self-identity, and her eventual triumph over a descent into madness. The book is marked by a brave vulnerability, infused with both humour and heart-wrenching candour. Winterson's writing is both generous in spirit and profound in its reflections on the human condition.
The narrative also delves into Jeanetteβs later life, depicting her struggles with mental health and her efforts to find stability and joy amidst lifeβs chaos. Through it all, she remains fiercely committed to the idea of beauty and love in a seemingly indifferent world.
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to heal and endure. It is a story of redemption and hope, offering readers an unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary life lived against the odds.
Unforgettable... It's the best book I have ever read about the cost of growing up - Daisy Goodwin, Sunday Times
One of The Guardian's 100 Best Books of the 21st Century
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson is praised for its unforgettable portrayal of the challenges of growing up, blending humour and hope in a heartfelt autobiography. Critics commend its poetic, emotive, and beautiful writing, highlighting the book as a profoundly moving and witty survival tale.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780099556091
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 12 April 2012
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 15.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 170g
Pages: 240
About the Author
Jeanette Winterson CBE was born in Manchester. Adopted by Pentecostal parents she was raised to be a missionary. This did and didn't work out. Discovering early the power of books she left home at sixteen to live in a Mini and get on with her education. After graduating from Oxford University she worked for a while in the theatre and published her first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, at twenty-five. Over two decades later she revisited that material in her internationally bestselling memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? Winterson has written thirteen novels for adults and two previous collections of short stories, as well as children's books, non-fiction and screenplays. She is Professor of New Writing at the University of Manchester. She lives in the Cotswolds in a wood and in Spitalfields, London.
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