Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
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Narrated by:
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Jeanette Winterson
About this listen
Shortlisted for: UK Author of the year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012
When Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, left home at 16 because she was in love with a woman, Mrs. Winterson asked her: "Why be happy when you could be normal?" This book is the story of a life's work to find happiness. It is the story of how the painful past returned to haunt Jeanette's later life, and send her on a journey into madness and out again, in search of her real mother. It is also a book about other people's stories, showing how fiction and poetry can form a string of guiding lights, a life raft which supports us when we are sinking.
©2011 Jeannette Winterson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.What listeners say about Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linda Marea
- 20-08-2018
My first Winterson book
Everyone raves about JW. And I now know why. Such brutal delicate heart aching honesty. Such delicious humour. Such a gift to read.
I felt so uncomfortable sharing in the intimacy of her story yet so privileged.
And her reading of her own work winds the volume up on all of the emotional responses to her experiences.
Often you can feel an ending loom in books. A natural conclusion or completion. The book ends and you move on feeling satisfied (or maybe not) with how the story has been wrapped up. But this is one of the few books where I was not ready for any ending. I wanted this to go on. Like a friendship. I loved her and her stories. And I want more.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adrianne
- 26-11-2022
Beautiful and Simple
All I can say is I was so sad for this narration to end. Such a gorgeous book so well told.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Stephanie Dale
- 13-10-2021
Wonderful listen
Brutally self reflective memoir. Funny, sad, insightful, occasionally long-winded (easily forgiven). Wonderful insights into human experience.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Arathaw
- 15-07-2019
Raw and Personal , witty and divine
JW is an amazingly poetic writer that also resonates with a down to earth and totally relatable personal story. Lots of laugh alongside the heartaches. Loved every word.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bernadette
- 08-01-2018
tip top
absolutely brilliant. Maybe the best book I have ever encountered. had me in tears more than once.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqui Daniels
- 17-07-2019
Awesome book
I could not stop listening from beginning to end. I especially liked the description of the mad part. I have been there and it really resonated with me. I also loved her description of the lost loss. Thankyou Jeanette/Janet.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- TruTru
- 09-03-2019
sad and funny
JW captures dark northern cynicism perfectly. I loved it. i also fall asleep when stressed!!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gracious
- 01-08-2019
Engrossing
Kind of unleavened but funny in a very Manchester way. So personal and extraordinarily honest and generous. Couldn't put it down. I will buy more of hers if I can, especially if she reads it herself.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee Anne Stapleton
- 04-02-2021
The title says it all!
This is a gripping, funny, sad, suspenseful and honest account, of Jeanette Winterson's life - particularly her formative years. Jeanette's narration is fantastic and of course, adds to the authenticity that such a tale requires. I had not heard of her but received this book as a 'share' via text message. I thought I would give it a go - I've finished it already.
Jeanette presents a perspective on life that ultimately is inspirational.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 01-07-2022
love love love this book
A fabulous book by one of my favourite authors. thank you for the story JW!
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