Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson

I've seen a great documentary about Jeanette Winterson and I even gave her book Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal? out on World Book Night, yet I've never actually read any of her books, so when Sexing the Cherry won the vote in our book club I was excited.

It's a hard book to describe. It roughly follows Jordan and his 'mother' in the 17th century, except time, space and all things real are not really true. Villages that float, an elephantine protagonist and the stories of the 12 princesses (great bit btw) all mash together with the London Plague, feminism and sexuality. At even 144 pages I really struggled to follow it. Winterson's literary tongue, especially towards the end, was overindulgent and suffocated what was already a convoluted idea. I really enjoy literary fiction but was sorely disappointed with this result.
The book club was split, with some also not enjoying it but some really revelling in the prose.
Here's hoping that her other books are not as muddy and troublesome for me.

A dour 3.5 on the comfometer.
I'm excited to start The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Michael
@bigcomfybooks
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World Book Night today!

Today see's World Book Night hitting 3 years old. It started in 2011 and has grew quickly year on year, with tens of thousands of people applying to be givers in 2013. I am one of the lucky ones to be chosen.

The list of books this year varies drastically from literary, to humour and biography and even graphic novel. The book I will be giving out today is Jeanette Winterson's biography 'Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal?' From 2 til 3 I'll be in Nuneaton town centre giving away all 20 books then tonight from 7 til 9 at the Nuneaton Library, there will be a chat with local author (and the new Catherine Cookson) Rosie Goodwin along with Warwickshire based writer Penny Freedman.

World Book Night in Nuneaton

World book night happens on 23rd April this year. I have been chosen as a giver. I have just come back from picking up my books and I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl, if they still get giddy, what with PC gone made and all.

I have chosen Jeanette Winterson's Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal.

Watch this future award winning vlog.

TTFN.

Michael

@bigcomfybooks