The Mock Turtle

I'm breaking up my non fiction with The Midnight Library. It seems I am on a midnight themed streak.

His (Lem Sissay’s) story is so, so harrowing, just the bits I’ve heard. My heart breaks for him every time he appears on the radio.

Ella77 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:19 am His (Lem Sissay’s) story is so, so harrowing, just the bits I’ve heard. My heart breaks for him every time he appears on the radio.

It's dreadful isn't it? His poor mum thinking she would get him back. He's very gracious about it.

I have just looked up his story; I hadn't heard of him before. Harrowing is right.

I came across his story when I was writing our strategy on supporting care leavers, its heart breaking and what he has achieved is amazing. I liked to gather stories of care experienced people who had become famous- there quite a few.

sally maclennane wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:13 am I finished Rachel's Holiday too, and I enjoyed it.

Now reading Lemn Sissay's autobiography, I've been meaning to read it for a while as I've listened to a few of his Ted talks and read some articles by him.

Oh lovely. How is it? I've been reading one of his earlier volumes of poetry after hearing him on Desert Island Discs I think it was.

Loralei wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:24 am I have just looked up his story; I hadn't heard of him before. Harrowing is right.

I don’t know how he survived any of it. Being fostered from a baby to the age of 12 and then just dumped by his parents out of the blue.

He's also something to do with the Foundling Museum in London.
My mum and dad had a friend who was left at the Foundling school. He came to my dad's funeral and lent me a scrap book that the school complied for him. In it was a card or letter from his birth mum for every birthday and Christmas telling him how much she loved him.

He wasn't given any of this until he made contact with the school in his 60s whilst researching his family. She gave him up because she was poor basically and couldn't support him. She didn't want to. Totally heartbreaking.

That’s so awful. How could they do that to him? And his mother.

Love Lemm Sissay. I've heard him speak and he was so inspirational. The book is amazing. It really stays with you.

Estrella wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:16 am Onto Educated by Tara Westover now.

I read that not so long ago; it was OK but not more-ish.

I finished Rachel's Holiday too and it was a nice, easy read.

I've been reading Mrs Benson's Beetle and have nearly finished it. I wasn't sure at first but I've learnt to love the characters and have really enjoyed it.

I'm working through my list of things of books I remember from my parents bookcase and have finished Life and Loves of a She-Devil, which was more daft and less sharp than I expected.

Now struggling through Joan Didion's Year of Magical Thinking. It's beautiful but too close to the bone. Still. It's prompting thoughts about loss and grief and death that I'm not sure I'm ready to face. Still.

Ismee wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:33 pm
I've been reading Mrs Benson's Beetle and have nearly finished it. I wasn't sure at first but I've learnt to love the characters and have really enjoyed it.

I’ve heard this is good.

Pippedydeadeye wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:43 pm

Ismee wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:33 pm
I've been reading Mrs Benson's Beetle and have nearly finished it. I wasn't sure at first but I've learnt to love the characters and have really enjoyed it.

I’ve heard this is good.

It’s really lovely.

Beena wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:39 pm I'm working through my list of things of books I remember from my parents bookcase and have finished Life and Loves of a She-Devil, which was more daft and less sharp than I expected.

Yes, I was disappointed by that too. It was a bit bland for a book about a she-devil.

Lily wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:05 pm

Estrella wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:16 am Onto Educated by Tara Westover now.

I read that not so long ago; it was OK but not more-ish.

It only cost me $5 on Amazon, so not a huge loss if I don’t love it.

Estrella wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 11:25 pm

Lily wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:05 pm

Estrella wrote: ↑Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:16 am Onto Educated by Tara Westover now.

I read that not so long ago; it was OK but not more-ish.

It only cost me $5 on Amazon, so not a huge loss if I don’t love it.

I found it a really moving read. I remember saying aloud at one point, “Get out! Get out!”

I also currently on the Rachel’s Holiday bandwagon. I’m enjoying it so much more this time.

I loved Mrs Benson’s beetle.

Squirrel wrote: ↑Sun Jan 16, 2022 12:00 am I loved Mrs Benson’s beetle.

I finished it last night and it was heartbreaking but beautiful.