A heart rending true story of a black child growing up in sixties London, who is severely abused by her mother.
Highs n lows
This is very much a tell it as it was book. Written almost like a diary, in the first person, everything is told in a very matter of fact manner ‘that’s life get on with it’ is the viewpoint. You are given just enough explanation about why nothing was done to stop the abuse, for the question not to take away from the main story. Surprisingly, she doesn’t allow any self-pity or judgement to creep into the narrative, and part of me wonders how she could remain so dispassionate, but then I’m guessing this wasn’t the first draft. More practically, if more life and emotion was injected into it instead of the plainer description of events that we have, the book would be far too harrowing because the level of abuse is so bad. Despite this Briscoe’s style is very readable, and slightly older readers will appreciate the short reminiscences about some iconic sixties celebs ranging from Big Daddy, to Crown Court, and the extremely loud fashions of the day.
You won’t be left untouched after reading this. I was left horrified that any mother could be so inhuman to her own child just because of the way she looked. Jamie Oliver’s people I’m sure would find it a boon for his school dinner campaign as school dinners literally saved Briscoe’s life as a child. But the main thing that struck me was the amazing strength of character the author showed as a child, to make it through the way she did, many others would have crumbled from such abuse, I’m sure.
Although the book finishes at a natural closure with her change of name, I was left with so many questions about how her later relationship with her family and how she recovered emotionally from all this – perhaps there’s a sequel in the offing (please!)??
Is it any good?
5 out of 5
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