Horrifying

 I am only part way through the book 'The Girl in the Green Dress' by Jeni Haynes. It is such a horrifying tale of parental sexual abuse that I think it deserves to be read by everyone. Sexually abused by her father from the age of six months his horrific predatory and controlling behaviour which he predicated on his tiny daughter makes me ill. She describes it in detail in a way that others who have experienced this would probably be unable to. Her chapters are interspersed with those written by her psychiatrist who explains that Jeni's many and diverse multiple personalities were developed to help her cope with the abuse. It took her many years to find a doctor who understood, and to get police to believe her as so many thought she was just making it up. Please read this book, it is difficult, but these women need to be affirmed.

My life has been full of appointments lately and I have had little time for blogging or writing. Four of my stories have been selected to be published in a British anthology. It makes all the hours spent slaving over a hot computer worthwhile. I have several memoir essays underway at present, they are thoughtful writing which takes time and lots of patience and editing. I prefer to just write, accept the mistakes made when writing too fast, and try not to forget the insightful thoughts I have while putting others into the story. I so wish that others would be more interested, more supportive of my writing. I think I might also try some other genres soon, that will be exciting.

My guide dog is in need to a good walk, and Jay needs a quick stroll in the park. He is due for his medication check next week. Hopefully they will give him some more prednisone to help with his IBD. Maya still attracts a lot of attention when out and about. She is much admired by everyone except taxi drivers who seem to find her spring moult dificult to deal with.          

Writing Groups

 Several weeks ago I attended a memoir writing workshop with Dame Fiona Kidman when the participants were asked if they wanted to set up a memoir writing group, the majority were very enthusiastic. After obtaining all their emails I sent out an email with a date for a meeting, yesterday at our big central library. Arriving early and finding that a Toastmasters group was meeting there and had used all the tables I hauled chairs into a circle and waited, and waited and continued to wait. Eventually one person turned up and then another. We waited. Giving up after about 20 minutes we just started chatting, talking about everything from local body politics to heritage interviewing, the role of the library, and what writing we had done. Two hours later we finally called it a day and dispersed. Disappointed at the low turnout we have decided the group is a no go. I wish people would not say they would like to start a group when they are really not interested. I put several hours of work into setting this up and felt quite used. I now have to send out another email asking if people do have any interest in this writing group.

I will continue to write memoir pieces, but since the advent of covid I do find it very lonely that people have moved on with their lives with little consideration for those of us still having to isolate much of the time. Memoir essays seem to suit me, I can cover a range of topics both light and serious.

I have done a lot of reading lately, 8 books last month. These were a mix of books I have on my kindle and my talking book machine. Having 3 or 4 books on the go at once must seem like madness, but books are who I am.

The one which probably gripped me the most was Adopted: Love, Loss, Family and Reunion by Brigitta Baker and Jo Willis. A very easy to read book it is divided up with their stories of being adopted, the journey of their birth parents, the huge difficulties of their reunions, and even includes a section of comments by their children.

The Mirror Book by Charlotte Grimshaw is another gripping book of family dysfunction in a well know New Zealand literary family. Once I got into the second half of the book I found the stories she told of their family anger and angst relatable to my own life experience. I highly recommend both these books.

                   

The New Bible

 I have just finished reading Dame Fiona Kidman's book 'So Far, For Now'. It has given me the guidelines for writing memoir pieces of varying lengths. I have already begun writing a longer piece using her ideas and I am buzzing with more enthusiasm than I have had in months. Beginning with her description of the sudden death of her husband she ranges from her time in Menton in France, to travel in Britain, having a massage, family connections and much more. I have three pages of ideas to work on, I am beginning to think I might need to work on several ideas all at once to keep my enthusiasm going. 

Several other writers have suggested I should write short memoir pieces rather than trying to put together a memoir which was giving me PTSD. I hate having to give up on writing I have spent months and months on but sometimes the stress and tension of reliving difficult times makes it too hard to continue. I think people who manage to complete a long and difficult account of their life are amazing for their strength and fortitude.

I have always been an avid reader of Fiona Kidman's books. We have much in common, she was a librarian, avid reader, lived on a farm and milked cows, and so on. I just wish I had been able to write with such vigour all my life. I guess my many years of academic writing meant that time was spent getting academic qualifications of which I am proud. I am so looking forward to meeting her tomorrow and having 3 hours of intense instruction in memoir writing skills.

   

  

Immigrants

 I have just finished reading a book called The Ten Pound Fare.

It is full of interviews and analysis of the British people who took advantage of this offer to emigrate to Australia after World War Two. While some saw it as the opportunity to take a 2 year working holiday, many stayed and made a life for themselves in Australia. Yet some were desperately unhappy and returned home as soon as the two years were up, others even sooner as they could not fit into the relaxed way of life in their new country. One theme which ran through the book was the number of women who failed to settle as they missed their Mum. I have always been quite bemused by the way British women cling to their mothers, often ringing or visiting them several times daily. Perhaps they have never understood the 'leave and cleave' scenario. While of course family is important somehow the British take it to extreme lengths. Many of the men in this story were very happy in Australia and had good jobs but were persuaded to go home by their spouse.                                           

I think the fact they were treated well on the ships out and then ended up in either hostels or rental accommodation until they found employment made it much harder for many of them. One has to wonder if they truly understood the advantages of living in a country desperate for new citizens following the war. 

My father emigrated from Manchester to New Zealand in the 1930's. I imagine he had to pay his own fare but as he left without telling anyone where he was going it must have taken some great courage to travel to the other end of the world not knowing what the outcome would be.                                                              

I highly recommend this short book for a look into a part of history many have forgotten.                                                           

                

   

Syria

 I have just finished reading A Disappearance in Damascus by Deborah Campbell. It was one of those books which was difficult to put down, despite the fact I was reading it as a talking book. I kept turning it on for 15 minute intervals on and off all night as I followed the story of Deborah and her 'fixer', Oflam. The descriptions of how the Iraqi refugees lived in Syria and their fears for both themselves and loved ones at home is difficult to read. The mix of Western journalism and misunderstandings about the Arab world overlapping with the daily grind and slivers of hope the refugees had of a better existence offers an insight into how we, the privileged of this world view those whose lives are such a struggle.

I have read many books like this, some suggested to me by a friend who lived and studied peace resolution in Israel. Her experience has often tempered my thinking about the way we treat other people to justify our own ends. I never fail to be upset by the way the nation of Israel treats the Palestinians, especially considering the long reach of the Holocaust. Where does the juncture fit, why do the pieces not seem to be aligned perfectly. Yes, this is human nature. I live in a country where those of us in the majority, descended from settlers from Europe, are struggling with the demands of the 16% of the population who claim to be indigenous. They also arrived in canoes, not ships with white sails and settlers with guns. Unfortunately in this changing world they are bringing racism upon themselves. Divisions are growing between those of us who have worked for decades to ensure a safe future and are now watching it dismantled by this small number of people in a multi-cultural community. We need to work together, understand each other, and not push for dominance. 

 

           

Muslim Joy

 I have just finished reading a book called 'Tea with Arwa' by Arwa el Maasri. It is the story of a young Palestinian girl who emigrates to Australia, although her father keeps returning to the Middle East for work. It projects the difficulties of the stark reality of living in a country where being Muslim is still quite rare. Arwa makes a decision as an adult to wear a hijab, something that obviously has a profound meaning for her. This book is fascinating, particularly the inclusion of the recipes which form the conclusion of each chapter. The food sounds so delicious I was tempted to find a Middle Eastern restaurant where I could try this food. Then I remembered, Covid.

Going out to cafes or restaurants is not a sensible idea at present as we have an omicron variant striking down so many of our population. Social media is full of vitriol for people taking precautions. Perhaps they could take a leaf out of the book of this family with links to the NRL and their joy and peaceful life. 

 

  

 and welfare of others by criticisng those who wear maks,     

Scottish Sixth Sense

 I have just finished reading 'The Moon Sister' by Lucinda Riley. The fifth in her series of books, I was astounded by the descriptions of the sixth sense I possess. Although some of the book is set in Scotland, Tiggy has inherited her extra sense from Spanish gypsies.

While people tend to be disbelieving of the ability to 'just know things', it has been a part of my life since I was tiny. I knew when people had died before being told, knew who was on the phone while it was still ringing, and 'news' meant nothing to me as I already was aware of family events and excitement over engagements or planned weddings. 

I am finding the Seven Sisters series fascinating. As an adopted person who discovered they had an interesting background, the discovery of each of the sisters of their true heritage keeps me glued to the books. Initially I was not keen to get involved in a series of books, but now I find I can hardly wait to download the next one. Discovering who Pa Salt is, although I think I know, will require patience until next May when her son publishes the final book.

but        

Families

 

I have almost finished reading this book which is riveting. I am actually listening to it as a talking book and have found it keeping me awake as I avidly hear the story of Adeline's life as a Chinese girl. While we all know that girls have not been valued in China, her story is one of the few well written accounts of life as a female I have ever read. Despite obviously being an unwanted daughter, her father did deign to spend his copious amounts of money on sending her away to boarding school and university. I think the outcome was unexpected to him as she developed a career of which even he seemed proud. The behaviour of her step mother makes me hope she came to an untimely end, the last couple of hours of reading should answer this question for me. 

This is a well written book which explores family, rejection, jealousy, and the power wielded by wealthy Chinese families in Hong Kong, particularly over family still in China. Definitely a book worth reading for the knowledge gained. I have to say her father reminded me of someone, it seems that male behaviour is often similar the world over.

I have two other books on the go, one on Alexa and one on my kindle. I also subscribe to and read digital magazines so I must catch up and read some of those over the weekend. 

Happy reading everyone!     

Starting Again

 This is the only blog I have ever received any feedback on or interest in. I love blogging but never have much success with it. I have decided to re-start this blog as my main interests in life are books, music and my guide dogs, one working, one retired. I always have 3 books on the go at once; one on my kindle app, one on Alexa from the Blind Foundation library, and one on my Victor Reader Stream which is a special privately owned talking book machine. I am reading constantly on my ipad, but only listen to talking books at night when trying to descend into the world of slumber. 

I hope to continue posting about the interesting books I have read, ones I might wish to read, and any associated book or similar topics. I can say as a starter I have spent much of this year working my way through The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley, one every so often. I am now on the 5th book and avidly await the revealing of who Pa Salt is in the final book to be released next year. I think there are many clues to his identity, and the possibility he is actually still alive and knew he had to let the girls go and find their roots and destiny.

More to come! Susan, the Myopic Bookworm