This is Not About Me
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
`The year's best memoir' --Scotsman
Review
'The writing, like all of her writing, is pared down, chisel-perfect'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This wonderful book has all the emotional and intellectual impact of Galloway's award-winning fiction. Somewhere between novel and traditional memoir, she breaks new ground in writing a brave, forceful, funny and searingly honest book that is a far removed from the so-called "misery memoir". "This is not about me" is exactly that - not about one person but about how we are all are made by those around us. She writes directly from the child's point of view, sharp and clear, in rainbow colours. The characters of her mother and unhappy sister, Cora, in particular are wonderful portraits, clear-eyed and without any trace of self-pity, judgement or rancour. Music, a love of words and learning, compassion for everyday life is here writ large. "A book unlike any other" wrote Lavinina Greenlaw in the Guardian - and that's exactly what it is.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was blown away by this book. `This is Not About Me' may be based on her own experiences of growing up in the 1950s and 60s in Saltcoats, but in its sharply drawn, vividly realised evocation of childhood, Janice Galloway transcends time and space. I found myself reliving my own experience of growing up, as sights, sounds and sensations long forgotten came flooding back.
`This is Not About Me' is dark, certainly; it is also full of the excitement and wonder of growing up, as well as the pain and confusion. As the child gradually begins to confront the reality of what is going on around her, and to develop her own separate identity, the book reaches an oddly exultant conclusion.
If you want to read a book which will draw you in from page 1, and which will remain with you long after you have finished it, go for this one. I ordered three copies for friends for Christmas and am about to order more to send to friends overseas.
`This is Not About Me' is dark, certainly; it is also full of the excitement and wonder of growing up, as well as the pain and confusion. As the child gradually begins to confront the reality of what is going on around her, and to develop her own separate identity, the book reaches an oddly exultant conclusion.
If you want to read a book which will draw you in from page 1, and which will remain with you long after you have finished it, go for this one. I ordered three copies for friends for Christmas and am about to order more to send to friends overseas.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Janice Galloway is one of the best writers I have read and to be allowed insight into her life in this way is a privilege. Her powers of description are superb and Saltcoats and the fifties and sixties come alive in this memoir. It is a brave, honest book and I want to read more (I hope I'm right in thinking that there is more to come).
Most Recent Customer Reviews
This is how it was
The hardback edition starts with an explanation of the intriguing photograph on the front cover. Drawing us in from the beginning, this clear-eyed, unselfpitying account of a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Clive A. H. Still
A surprisingly enjoyable tale of a sometimes difficult childhood
This is the story of Janice Galloway's childhood in a small Scottish sea-side town in the 1960s, finishing just as she approaches the age of 12 and faces the move from primary to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jennie
A moving and evocative tale of Scottish childhood
A well told story of a challenging upbringing in 1950s Scotland. Beautifully written, immediately engaging, the writer manages to tell a story of a painful childhood with humour... Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by H. A. Smith
Moving and thought provoking, a book club book recommendation
We read this as one of our recent book club reads. We were all touched by this book in different ways which provoked great discussion and debate, just what you want from a book... Read more
Published on 4 April 2010 by M. Powell
Once upon a time in the west...
'Magnificent' doesn't do justice to this book. That I inadvertently shouted 'No' out loud when the end came sooner than expected - due to six blank pages at the end - might give... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2009 by G. Watson
This was not even for me ..............
Bought it as a present - seems to have been well accepted but the recipient reads tons & this will wait in the queue.
Published on 17 Aug 2009 by Poadster
Not just another misery memoir
As a life story writing teacher I read a lot of biography and memoir but this one is definitely the best I have read for a long time. Read more
Published on 17 Aug 2009 by Mrs. Terrie Rintoul
This is not about me.
A true life account of a young girl growing up in the Ayrshire coastal town of Saltcoats - her memories, impressions and relationships with family members. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2009 by J. Scott
Brilliant
This has to be one of the best books I have ever read. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the follow-on. It is extremely funny and very sad too. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by J. Newcombe
Galloway in good form
This was a great read and quite heart rendering at times yet laugh out loud at others... a real page turner though and as it ends with her only about 12 years old there are... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by Susan
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