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Post by violet on May 14, 2007 10:56:58 GMT 10
I've only read a couple of chapters of this book, lent to me by a friend, but I'm really enjoying it. As one of the reviews on the back says, "The best autobiographies are written by observers rather than participants, evoking memories and emotions familiar to us all..."
The book is Gweilo, by Martin Booth, and tells of his childhood in Hong Kong. He wrote the book after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and died two years later.
He was a writer, and so the book is very well written, but he was also a marvellous and gently humorous observer of human behaviour.
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Post by braided-rug on May 14, 2007 11:30:28 GMT 10
I was able to reserve the book, thanks Violet.
Biographies used a be my favourite years ago. I think you learn alot from them. I think these days, I shy away from introspective things lol. But I will see how I go reading it.
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Post by violet on May 15, 2007 16:46:24 GMT 10
I wouldn't call this introspective, Br, at least not so far. He writes so beautifully, and although his writing is evocative, he has a good sense of humour which comes through in the way he portrays his characters.
It's also very interesting to read of a time of turmoil through the eyes of a child.
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Post by violet on May 26, 2007 11:20:14 GMT 10
Hm, well, it's a bit earthy, but otherwise I'm still finding this interesting. He sure had a lot of freedom for a young boy.
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Post by braided-rug on May 26, 2007 12:09:06 GMT 10
Even the cover was thought provoking.
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Post by braided-rug on May 27, 2007 11:20:40 GMT 10
I was thinking that too about the freedom when I read the inside cover. My back cover has just the little bit about never leaving Hong Kong in his mind.
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Post by violet on May 29, 2007 15:08:48 GMT 10
Freedom is the word, isn't it? He does write beautifully, but as I mentioned previously, it is an "earthier" memoir than I was expecting. I'm surprised he wasn't damaged for life by some of what he saw as a child.
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