Oleander, Jacaranda: A Childhood Perceived

Penelope Lively was a child when her father was serving the British government in Egypt and Sudan just before WWII. She describes her life there largely through her more innocent eyes, adding only limited reflection from her adult point of view. It is beautifully written and tells us of a time and a slice of life that was unique to a narrow set of British officials and families. However, one can't claim to know much more about Ms Lively as a person at the end of the book than one did at the beginning, as she only briskly touches on feelings or any latter-day revelations. Of course, a memoirist is allowed to write whatever kind of book she wants, and perhaps the glut of confessional memoirs has created expectations that some people simply don't want to meet. You will have to read Moon Tiger to get a sense of how formative her life in Egypt was.

While it becomes quickly evident how excellent is Penelope Lively's memory, reading this memoir opens up all kinds of doors.In the book there is a wonderful theme of how we think of the past, and what the past means to us. There is also more than a glimpse into the lifestyles of 20th century British colonial elite. As a child, Lively could straddle different realms, different cultures, and this is the fascinating heart of the book.She grew up with ruling class privilege in British-occupied Egypt, and yet she had a child's access to local village life. She had a devoted governess, but the grown Penelope realizes how little they shared of each other. There are many fascinating parallels of home and country, such as the weight of a distant, somewhat cold mother/land.Nowadays, there's a lot written about the phenomenon of the Third Culture Kid. Usually, and to speak very simplistically, this refers to American kids who grow up overseas and cannot feel any true attachment to the US, but who are not visibly connected to the land where they spent so much of their childhood. In the worst scenario, these people can end up with severe feelings of rootlessness, and with a sense of never quite belonging. Lively beautifully and sensitively writes of this lack of connection.Aside from Oleander, Jacaranda being a wonderful story of returning, it is a comforting read for those who are affected by Third Culture Phenomena. I urge ALL EXPATRIATE parents to obtain and read this book! My third culture daughter read it at age 15, and I would recommend it to others in her age group and cultural situation.Also great by Penelope Lively: Moon Tiger (Fiction).

A thoughtful and perceptive memoir of an unusual childhood as the lonely daughter of British expats in Egypt before and during WWII. Penelope Lively considers the limitations of a child's perception of the culture and events surrounding her, and speaks movingly of the immediacy and startling clarity of certain childhood memories. I enjoyed the b&w photos included in the center of the book and look forward to exploring Lively's novels or short stories.

Penelope Lively writes an interesting type of memoir. She grew up in Cairo during the Second World War and she writes of her recollections of that great city from the point of view of a child: not an easy task. An adult looking back of childhood memories is one point of view. Lively tries to recall her thoughts and feelings as a little girl, not an easy task. THE RESULT IS WELL WORTH READING.

I love books about Egypt and this account from childhood to death bed was poignant and well written.The historical details embellished the story line and made for a compelling read. I highly recommend this book and a love of Egypt is not required.

A bit dry and slow.

Superb writing, couldn't put it down. Savored every sentence.

An excellent memoir by one of my favorite authors.

A beautifully written narrative. There were some lovely bits of description.It was interesting that Penelope was brought up as an English girl abroad and yet when she returned to England, she did not immediately feel very English.

We liked it as a childhood memoir and written by a proper author. My book club considered the importance of writing their own memoir ,even if not a Penelope Lively.

I loved it! I have been to Egypt and could visualise all the places she was talking about. She writes extremely well and is totally hooked on all her books

Item as described and was promptly dispatched.

An amusing and interesting account of childhood which is historically interesting, highly readable as you'd hope from a novelist, and self-conscious about the process of writing a recollection of childhood, in a way which enriches rather than diminishes the reading experience.