Scan barcode
katemck1's review against another edition
5.0
A book full of love and hope. Just what we all need at the moment.
abbie_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend writing your reviews for the books you finished in May in August, but it did make me realise I read two queer memoirs by older British writers in that month (Jackie Kay and Jeanette Winterson). Kay’s focuses less on her upbringing and queerness and more on connecting with her birth parents as an adult. Raised by white communists in Scotland, Kay’s upbringing was definitely unusual, and her anecdotes are often equal parts funny and sad. I loved that her parents were so supportive of Kay finding her birth parents, and this book primarily focuses on that journey - oftentimes a rollercoaster! It’s easy to read, very warm, like having a cuppa with the author as she regales you with her life story.
katieadaniel's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
A beautiful memoir. I feel so comfortable while reading Kay's writing. I enjoy feeling somewhat connected to her story but also learning a new perspective and going on this journey with her.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
While the subject was interesting and the novel moving at times, I found the repetition of several key incidents from the before/during/after perspective, and jumping around in time, quite frustrating.
Having just read Jeanette Winterson's Why Be Happy... on a similar topic may not have helped either. Both were read by the author and I found Jackie Kay's reading a little more dry.
Having just read Jeanette Winterson's Why Be Happy... on a similar topic may not have helped either. Both were read by the author and I found Jackie Kay's reading a little more dry.
annecarts's review against another edition
4.0
A really interesting book about the author's experiences of growing up as a mixed race child of white Scottish parents, and her search for her birth parents.
Jackie has an open and honest style and I really felt her disappointment and joy in her story.
Jackie has an open and honest style and I really felt her disappointment and joy in her story.
the_paperback_psychologist's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0