Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? Hardcover – Bargain Price, March 6, 2012

Highlighted on my kindle for the first time, a rarity, don't expect to repeat that. Laughed and cried, in just about equal measures. I would say I am not normally gripped by 'quality' writing in itself, like some people I know, where the story does not compel me but his book has it all. So impressed; by the story, the writing, the writer, the profoundness. I am calling it a perfect read and something I have learnt from.

Jeanette Winterson has been well reviewed over the years and in particular for "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit." When I saw that her latest book made it to the NY Times 100 Notable Books of 2012 list, I picked it up to see what she was all about as I had never read anything by her. What I found with her latest book was really a testimonial primarily of her early days growing up in an industrial town in England to what were very poor, strict, and severe step-parents who took her in seemingly because of some religious calling and then gave her a childhood that really did not measure up to any standards of good care or love. Winterson though persevered and as we see from her various loosely coupled stories, she went her own way, rebelled quite a great deal relative to the norm, and emerged on the other end as a very good writer and person. Some of the more interesting memories were her early days finding out she liked women more than men from an intimacy standpoint, her explorations in that area, and her various loves. I also found the discussion of the abject poverty she lived in to be tough to take but also very real and important in understanding who she is and in truth what others like her who grew up in similar circumstances were like. Finally, the discussion about her mother's religious beliefs and practices was at times humorous while also a bit hard to take from the standpoint of a young girl. A good book to read to learn more about one of the important writers of our time.

Winterson is a master story-teller, in love with language. This autobiography, which recalls her debut novel ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT, is remarkable: tough, fearless, brillaint. It is also a meditation on story-telling and on the value of loving words in an impoverish world where one seems expected to live an impoverished life. The adoptive mother, a fundamentalist living in a small town not far from Manchester, is an ogre from fairy tales, not LITTLE WOMEN; and she is a great creation.

Having not read the original novel, I did not know much about the story of Jeanette Winterson. I found her story to be a kaleidoscopic ride of emotions, but what I enjoyed most about this book more than any of her true tales of her mother and her tragic, unwanted upbringing, was the love of reading she discovered with the help of her local librarian. The way she describes her joy and other emotions of discovering such great English literature was just fascinating, and has given me a wonderful insight into why I love to read. I certainly have a much longer "to-read" list now thanks to Jeaneatte Winterson!

Being a fan of Jeanette Winterson, I was not disappointed by this book. Her use of language is superb and although I've found some of her other book somewhat "mythologically obscure" , this one being autobiographical was not. Heartbreaking, revealing, funny with delicious insight.

Had I not seen the BBC documentary on Jeanette Winterton, nothing would have induced me to even look at the book. The title smacks of one of those self-help books I'm delighted I read it. Her writing is bald and honest and tells the story of her struggle to survive a childhood which wd have defeated many. Not only is she a survivor, but her tale of survival is told with great humour and poigniancy.

I had never read a book by Jeanette Winterson prior to this, but after reading 'Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal' I intend reading more.I found this book riveting and it should be essential reading for those of us who survive 'normal' backgrounds with lumps knocked out of us but still 'getting on with it' whatever 'it' is.The denial that binds normality can be bitter and painful to try and survive, never mind survive to the extent where you can examine it with intelligence and wit - like Jeanette. She has succeeding in exploring her background without a trace of 'poor me' and with bucket-loads of understanding and humour.This book wasn't just great - it was funny, comforting, sometimes painful yet reassuring to read. There are very few books I read again - this is one of them.

What can I say ? I am truly & deeply mentally invigorated & stimulated by her Brain, her style & her honesty. She puts it all out there , time & time again. TY Jeanette ! I ADORE YOU & my partner does, too ! Looking forward to many more more of your your literary masterpieces. Nobody, No Body, writes with your vocabulary in today's world. You blow my mind, right out of it's Rut !!!!