In 1985 Jeanette Winterson's first novel, "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit", was published. It tells the story of a young girl adopted by Pentecostal parents. The girl is supposed to grow up and be a missionary. Instead she falls in love with a woman. Disaster. Written when Jeanette was only twenty-five, her novel went on to win the Whitbread First Novel award, become an international bestseller and inspire an award-winning BBC television adaptation. "Oranges" was semi-autobiographical. Mrs Winterson, a thwarted giantess, loomed over that novel and its author's life. When Jeanette finally left her home, at sixteen, because she was in love with a woman, Mrs Winterson asked her: why be happy when you could be normal? This book is the story of a life's work to find happiness.
"A fierce and funny exploration of her past and of what it means to belong."
--"The Telegraph"
"At every turn . . . her fresh, vivid way of putting things stops one dead in admiration."
--"The New York Times"
"She writes in flights of poetry. . . . She is equally deft with straightforward prose, in which she makes sharp, wry observations on her myriad themes--love, sex, technology, society, art, the life and death of the spirit."
--"San Francisco Chronicle"
"Blazingly good."
--"Daily Mail"
" "
"Arguably the finest and most hopeful memoir to emerge in many years, and, as such, it really should not be missed."
--"The Times"
"Breathtaking: witty, biblical, chatty and vigorous all at once.... Powerful."
--"Financial Times"
" "
"Remarkable.... Brave and beautiful, a testament to the forces of intelligence, heart and imagination. It is a marvellous book and a generous one."
--"The Spectator"
Title: Why be happy when you could be normal?
Subtitle:
Contributors:
By (author)
Jeanette Winterson
ISBN 13: 9780099556091
ISBN 10: 009955609X
Publisher: Vintage
Imprint: Vintage
Publication Date: 1/05/2012
Place of Publication:
London,
United Kingdom
Edition:
BIC Subjects:
Biography & autobiography: literary
Dewey Classification:
823.92
(DC23)
;
823.914
(DC22)
NBS Classification: Autobiography: Literary
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Height: 198mm
Width: 129mm
Thickness: 15mm
Weight: 177g