Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #884352 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

An intriguing but affectionate memoir
I do not usually read family sagas, but was drawn to this one as I was already a fan of John Lanchester's novels, particularly the wonderful Debt To Pleasure. I was not disappointed because this book is a wonderful read and draws the reader in to the labyrinthine history of his parents (and grandparent's) lives. Lanchester's task is made easier because his parents had interesting lives, his mother being a Catholic nun until the age of 38, and his father having been brought up former British colonies and taking up a career in international banking.

At least the first half of the book is taken up with the individual life-stories of his grandparents and parents, including a fascinating description of paternal grand-parents internment in Hong Kong during World War II. Perhaps the major part of this section is the story of his mother's childhood and youth, leading to her time in the convent - not a happy experience at any time as far as one can see. At least she managed to escape at the age of 38 and meet John Lanchester's father-to-be, to enjoy a reasonably happy and fulfilling marriage thereafter, if one based on a certain number of "secret's and lies" which Lanchester slowly uncovers during the second half of the book.

Needless to say, the book is thoroughly well-written and draws the reader along from page to page. I particularly like the many photographs which are dotted about among the text, somewhat in the style of W G Sebald's books. Personally I think this works better than having a separate glossy section of photographs in the middle of the book.

John Lanchester takes a charitable view of his parents' lives, even where there was cause for criticism. His forgiving approach makes this a pleasant book to read, despite some of the darker events which he has to describe. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it highly to anyone who has had enough of the glut of lightweight biographies to be seen on the supermarket shelves.

Family Romance: A Memoir
In the absence of siblings and peers, John Lanchester learnt to live in his own head. Reading has been his one great bond with his English culture. His observations have been made in an elegant millefoile style of writing, with the references to what Conrad, Auden et al, wrote on the concept. Rubber necking my way through the ideas I emerged triumphant, but with a list of further reading. [A perfect introduction to literature.] His Mother's story is for me the most fascinating facet of his book. Like so many Irish families the Gunnigans were harnessed to the brutal yoke of repression. The Irish Catholic Church demanded obedience. Here as a child of a formidable Irish Mother he excavates her story. He is justifiably incredulous, as to real reasons his mother buried her true identity and borrowed another's. He sets about unpicking her life with the dedication of a conservator in the V&A's ancient costumes department. In terms of sheer empathy for, the reasons, the whys and the wherefores, he as good as dons the costume too. Rare, but real glimpses into the off-limits territory of a nun's world are provided. Yet he elegantly side-steps irony, the preferred partner for any personal, or potentially painful recollections. A voice that demands your attention.