Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Oranges Is Not The Only Book

Like many people my age (about the same age as Jeanette Winterson), I read 'Oranges' when it was first published all those years ago, and loved it. But somehow read no more of Ms Winterson's output until I picked up "Why Be Happy" after seeing the TV programme with Alan Yentob, the other week.



I was not disappointed. Loved it, in fact. Better still, reading it has made me want to go out and read Ms Winterson's other books. She paints a complex picture of the redoubtable Mrs W, highlighting the fact she may not have even had the writing career she went on to have without Mrs W's monstrous creation - of herself. And ultimately, there is a touching, strange loyalty to Mrs W. This book has maturity and complexity, and tries to blur the line between fiction and autobiography - something touching about the fact the writer wants to do that, too.



I normally stick to meaty slabs of books on Audible that give value for money, so it says something for the power of the writer and writing here, that I spent my money on something slighter (I mean physically not a mighty tome, as opposed to slight in content, as it is not at all sketchy).



Great book; an insight into what makes a writer, and how we construct our identities. This is that rare thing; a book that stays with you, always.

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

The biography of a talented outsider

This was a moving account of an indomitable and spirited individual, whose childhood shaped her for both better and for worse. I have never been drawn to the author's fiction, but this biography is worth reading for several reasons. Firstly, it is well written and well read, by the author. Secondly, it gives poignant insights into a particular northern lifestyle of the fifties and sixties, one where the values and norms of the day seem like a distant history lesson. And, thirdly, it is entertaining. I found the non-linear style different to most autobiographies, but it worked quite well and covered up for omissions of quite large periods of Janette's life. It was a little as if she was pulling jigsaw pieces out of a bag and showing you them. Some pieces of the picture joined up, some bits came together at different times. And in some places there were holes that were never filled in. She has kept some pieces of the jigsaw in the bag, perhaps she will reveal them later.

If you like reading biographies, then you are likely to like this one.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

This is an interesting sequel to "Oranges are not the only fruit" and at times is equally hilarious. The author has the capacity to portray a quite appalling childhood and sequaelae without self pity, and in such a way that you begin to understand the troubled personalities of her adoptive parents. It is a book about what shaped today's society, and a stark reminder that "normal" can be barking mad. Well worth a read, and quite inspirational, whatever you gender, sexual preferences or state of sanity!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Try this

I struggled with 'Oranges' and had heard of some of JW other works and always intended to return to it/them. I decided to give this a listen and I am so glad I did, she's has had an interesting life and has a fantastic and honest view of life which was refreshing and gave me cause to reflect on my own ways of thinking - something I like to come out of reading a book but is a rare thing. It also peaked my interest in her other books and in a way eased me into her writing style as well as making me more willing to work with it now I have an understanding of it.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Genuine writer/reader

I loved listening to Jeanette telling her own story. She has a really interesting regional accent mixed with a more southern clipped vowels. I would say that there was a heavier emphasis on philosophy and a lot more musing - if you're expecting a 'what happened next' you will be disappointed.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

thoroughly absorbing

This is an honest and forthright account of Jeanette's life, her childhood and her eventual search for her birth mother. Some of the incidents, such as being put out on the doorstep were not unusual when I was growing up, so I related to the matter of fact way she related these childhood experiences. I tend to listen to books while in my car, this one, I listened to at every opportunity. I'd not seen or read 'Oranges', although I had heard of it. It's now on my list of things to read/watch at the next opportunity. Jeanette is a brave woman who has done much to promote the emancipation of women, and this book illustrates the pathway that led her there.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An inspiring autobiography

I enjoyed the author’s book ‘Oranges aren’t the only Fruit’, both in print and as a TV film, and was interested to hear how autobiographical the book actually was as it seemed extreme and extraordinary what the fictitious Jess had to endure from her adoptive mother. We learn the fiction was close to the reality with a touch of artistic licence. I was amazed how in her real life the author’s indomitable spirit coped with her inevitable feelings of rejection knowing that her birth mother gave her away only be be placed with a very strange, controlling and ultra-religious mother who also rejected her in her teens. Ms Winterson is very frank about her psychological turmoil and difficulties in relationships but is also inspiring how she managed to escape the stultifying restrictions of her adoptive home and achieved international success.

Narrating the book herself made the content so much more personal and impressive.

6 of 8 people found this review 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

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Very interesting and thought provoking

A very good listen that follows on well from 'Oranges' though also works well in its own right. Interesting, gripping and gives you lots to think about.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful