A moving journey

So expressively read by the author, this book is an moving reflection on her life and her sometimes tortured path through it. I admired the honesty of the writing and delivery.

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Profoundly moving and inspiring!

I listened to this book at a time when I was exploring my Lancashire family on Ancestry. Jeanette Winterson voice blew life into those distant names of cotton spinners, miners, fustian weavers, with their huge families.
Her literary links to parallel life events were memorable as were her selection of phrases. Hugely thought provoking!

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Fantastic

I really, really enjoyed this and will definitely listen to it again. Beautiful, honest, funny and thought-provoking. A fabulous listen.

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Very interesting

I enjoyed the insights and thoughts that Jeanette Winterson gives us. I was fascinated by her extraordinary childhood. I was admiring of her spirit and courage. And, envious of her education - self educated (English Literature A to Z) in the Public Library.

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Wonderful

Part memoir, part therapy book. This is an excellent hopeful, healing read that transported me back to 70's Accrington and ice on the insides of windows.

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loved this to bits x

full of life truths & learning, really great read & love Jeanette's consistent style of literary expression - in short, bloody brilliant x

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fantastic

What made the experience of listening to Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? the most enjoyable?

it was very easy to listen to

What did you like best about this story?

it was funny and laugh out loud

What about Jeanette Winterson’s performance did you like?

her voice

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the childhood religious part..and the end

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Love this book!!

Now I want to read everything Jeannette has written!!
Amazing understanding of her life!!!
What a book!

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Gut wrenching honesty

Would you listen to Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? again? Why?

It's revealing, frank and emotionally demanding at times. But ultimately a tale of hope and achievement.

What other book might you compare Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? to, and why?

Ms Winterson is a singular author with a sharp and distinct intellect and narrative style. Her autobiography is a stand alone .

What does Jeanette Winterson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I'm a little older than Ms Winterson. I had an ordinary upbringing but had no idea that the social deprivation recounted was common in parts of 1970s Britain. She adds human warmth to a life which was, at best, difficult and makes little of her hardships.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Parts are emotionally demanding. I listened to it over three evenings and that gave me time to absorb and reflect.

Any additional comments?

There were times during this account when I had to do a reality check and remember that the story was taking place in the mid 1970s north west of England, not Late Victorian times. The social and emotional deprivation beggars belief. But that makes the account all the more heart warming. Despite every adversity, emotional, physical and mental abuse, Ms Winterson stood by the truth and values she knew were right for her.

At times, it's difficult to listen to. Ms Winterson is frank about the hardships she suffered. But it's a balanced view, interspersed with humour and positive experience. Her achievements as an individual and as an author of international renown show that it's possible to overcome all adversity if you dig your heels in hard enough. I have the greatest respect for anyone who can recount a tale of brutality, hardship and loss and leave the reader feeling positive. The background has whetted my appetite for a couple of her books which I haven't yet read and will put them into context. As an autobiography, this rates as one of my all time best.There were times during this account when I had to do a reality check and remember that the story was taking place in the mid 1970s north west of England, not Late Victorian times. The social and emotional deprivation beggars belief. But that makes the account all the more heart warming. Despite every adversity, emotional, physical and mental abuse, Ms Winterson stood by the truth and values she knew were right for her.

At times, it's difficult to listen to. Ms Winterson is frank about the hardships she suffered. But it's a balanced view, interspersed with humour and positive experience. Her achievements as an individual and as an author of international renown show that it's possible to overcome all adversity if you dig your heels in hard enough. I have the greatest respect for anyone who can recount a tale of brutality, hardship and loss and leave the reader feeling positive. The background has whetted my appetite for a couple of her books which I haven't yet read and will put them into context. As an autobiography, this rates as one of my all time best.

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9 people found this helpful

Brilliant! Poignant and real

So rare to read something that feels like the truth and doesn't avoid the pain of complexity and the parts of life that are incomprehensible and the reality that life also consists of absences that also define us! Inspiring to read if you need an impetus to survive any difficult situation! Or ever feelyou failed somehow to be normal

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7 people found this helpful