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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

By: Jeanette Winterson
Narrated by: Jeanette Winterson
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About this listen

Shortlisted for: UK Author of the year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012

When Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, left home at 16 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. It is the story of how the painful past returned to haunt Jeanette's later life, and send her on a journey into madness and out again, in search of her real mother. It is also a book about other people's stories, showing how fiction and poetry can form a string of guiding lights, a life raft which supports us when we are sinking.

©2011 Jeannette Winterson (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Art & Literature Authors LGBTQ+ Studies Lesbian Studies Happiness Funny Witty
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Everyone raves about JW. And I now know why. Such brutal delicate heart aching honesty. Such delicious humour. Such a gift to read.
I felt so uncomfortable sharing in the intimacy of her story yet so privileged.
And her reading of her own work winds the volume up on all of the emotional responses to her experiences.
Often you can feel an ending loom in books. A natural conclusion or completion. The book ends and you move on feeling satisfied (or maybe not) with how the story has been wrapped up. But this is one of the few books where I was not ready for any ending. I wanted this to go on. Like a friendship. I loved her and her stories. And I want more.

My first Winterson book

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All I can say is I was so sad for this narration to end. Such a gorgeous book so well told.

Beautiful and Simple

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Brutally self reflective memoir. Funny, sad, insightful, occasionally long-winded (easily forgiven). Wonderful insights into human experience.

Wonderful listen

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JW is an amazingly poetic writer that also resonates with a down to earth and totally relatable personal story. Lots of laugh alongside the heartaches. Loved every word.

Raw and Personal , witty and divine

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absolutely brilliant. Maybe the best book I have ever encountered. had me in tears more than once.

tip top

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I could not stop listening from beginning to end. I especially liked the description of the mad part. I have been there and it really resonated with me. I also loved her description of the lost loss. Thankyou Jeanette/Janet.

Awesome book

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JW captures dark northern cynicism perfectly. I loved it. i also fall asleep when stressed!!

sad and funny

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Kind of unleavened but funny in a very Manchester way. So personal and extraordinarily honest and generous. Couldn't put it down. I will buy more of hers if I can, especially if she reads it herself.

Engrossing

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This is a gripping, funny, sad, suspenseful and honest account, of Jeanette Winterson's life - particularly her formative years. Jeanette's narration is fantastic and of course, adds to the authenticity that such a tale requires. I had not heard of her but received this book as a 'share' via text message. I thought I would give it a go - I've finished it already.

Jeanette presents a perspective on life that ultimately is inspirational.

The title says it all!

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A fabulous book by one of my favourite authors. thank you for the story JW!

love love love this book

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