"There are many forms of love and affection, some people can spend their whole lives together without knowing each other's names. Naming is a difficult and time-consuming process; it concerns essences, and it means power. But on the wild nights who can call you home? Only the one who knows your name.”
Jeanette is an only child, adopted as a baby. Her mother is a maniacal Pentecostal Christian and her father only a vague presence. Mrs Winterson has grand plans for her daughter. Having received Little Jeanette from the Lord she intends to give her back to the Lord - to be a Missionary and save the world from sin.
Unfortunately, Mother's vicarious dreamlife is spoiled by one flaw: at 14 the child exhibits "Unnatural Passions" for same-sex romance. In small town Northern England in the 1970s, the Evangelical community is not receptive....,
This semi-autobiographical work details a less brutal version of Winterson's youth than her later memoir (2011's Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?), even finding surprising humor despite the wrenching transition from her mother's and community's vision-- her childhood's world-- to claiming her own.
"Leaning on the coffee table was the orange demon.
'I've gone mad,' I thought.
'That may well be so,' agreed the demon evenly. 'So make the most of it.' "
Event Venue
Green Line Cafe, 4426 Locust St, Philadelphia, us
