Alan Bennett writes about growing up in the 30's and 40's,in this heart-rendering memoir. His parents relationship, his aunties, his life flows with such clear, graphical precision, that it takes my breath away. His parents wanted to fit in with cocktail parties, and other neighborhood events, but suffered from shyness, and lack of finesse with "modern matters" Alan's dad never wanted any "splother" or fuss that would call attention to an event of any sort. Alan's mother Lillian suffered from bouts of profound depression that kept her out of life's loop much of the time. Well-written, funny, and poignant. This is a poignant and often quite painful memoir to read. It almost made me feel guilty for intruding. Alan Bennett writes unflinchingly about the suicide of his grandfather, his mother's increasingly severe bouts of depression and mental health issues, his father's death and the tragic circumstances surrounding his Aunt's death - she walked out of hospital, suffering from dementia, and her body was found several days later by Bennett and his brother who were searching the grounds around the hospital.He doesn't always portray himself in a good light in this book - often showing a lack of patience or sympathy and sometimes anger with his family either directly or in the retelling of an event (his brother comes across as a much warmer, kinder person). I found myself not liking him very much at some points and yet feeling great sympathy with him at others. I know it is hard having to deal with elderly relatives - most of us have to at some time or other, and often in difficult circumstances. I can perhaps understand a little better my own father's frustration and anger with his now ex partner whose mental health issues are very similar to how Bennett's mother's were.It must have been incredibly difficult to write about subjects which are, essentially, so very private and yet he achieved this and turned them into something very special. I did wonder, though, when I'd finished reading it how his brother would have felt about the making public of their family's life.There is plenty of his subtle humour throughout and I don't think anyone could fail to snort with laughter at the photograph of the two Australian soldiers and the accompanying comments!
What do You think about Una Vita Come Le Altre (2009)?
Frank, melancholy book about families, ageing and life. Absorbing, rather than enjoyable.
—Ryan
Such a master of the written word!
—Renee_unbroken
