Wednesday 21 April 2010

Memoirs

I'm still reading memoirs. I would thoroughly recommend 'Antigona and Me' by Kate Clanchy. (I actually teach with her but have never met her). I suppose that I really liked the book because Kate Clanchy is dealing with many issues I've dealt with myself so it felt like reading about a friend. But also the book is lively, touching and thoughtful. I also read a very good book called 'Relative Strangers' by Mary Loudon which is about a woman who has a schizophrenic sister. The writing is clear and intelligent and the book really bought home to me what a nightmare schizophrenia is. Am currently reading 'When Did You Last See Your Father?' by Blake Morrison which deserves all the praise heaped upon it. What is extra-ordinary about the book is that Blake Morrison's father is a really tricky and annoying character and yet the book is so full of love. Also it's a book which makes a very small story into an epic. Wonderful.