Such a well written and immersive account. I’m reading these instalments at the same time as slowly savouring ‘ A gentleman in Moscow’ and enjoying both equally. I hope you have a publisher lined up as this well deserves a wider audience. What a sympathetic heroine, I am rooting for her 100% . School, ugh, what a potential ordeal, I hope she’ll be happy and find her tribe 🤞🤞
Well what a marvelously encouraging comment. Thank you so much. And to be enjoying my memoir equally to 'A Gentleman in Moscow', one of my favourite books of the last years - high praise indeed. That book simply goes on getting more fascinating and imaginative as you progress. You are in for a treat. Hopefully, a double treat! Thanks again, Christine
Thanks Debs. Marvellous rich and full response. So thrilling for me that you are able to get so fully into this story and that, as you describe it, there is so much shared experience from your own growing up. Really appreciate that you took the time to write so fully. Many thanks.
You seem to have been so excited about life and keen to enjoy what was on offer and put aside misgivings. These pieces bring back for me much of the flavour of growing up a girl in England at that time. How wonderful to have a father who was kind and enjoyed you and whose company you relished!
Just re-read parts V and VI and then onto VII in one sitting. What fabulous writing - I feel like I was there too - so many things to reflect on and enjoy. The things that really struck a chord with me were your father's advice about tomorrows - 'that they usually took care of themselves' - that's a great one. I love the way he asked for your thoughts on improving Brighton and can imagine the shared walk along the Undercliff. Disastrous haircuts - we've all had those, and so agonising for a sensitive child.
I remember well from my own childhood those cardboard dolls with glorious outfits and little folding tabs to clip them to the doll... I'd forgotten all about those. How I loved them!
The fight was beautifully described - oh how awful to have your dress come apart - I feel for that little girl. But I think you were a plucky fighter. Your relationship with Marco is so nicely progressed - from uncertainty to camaraderie. And the glamorous Carole, full of the promise of potential friendship! I felt entirely in your head with this piece...
You can remember so much detail from the day at the races. Fantastic evocation of the trip.
How will school turn out? Really looking forward to finding out....
Have written a longer comment. This is just to add...oh those tabs for the paper dolls' clothes. Thanks for mentioning them (and all else) they really brought a smile when I remembered folding then over to keep the dresses on and how they sometimes went on askew if you didn't fold them just so. It required neat fingers!
Such a well written and immersive account. I’m reading these instalments at the same time as slowly savouring ‘ A gentleman in Moscow’ and enjoying both equally. I hope you have a publisher lined up as this well deserves a wider audience. What a sympathetic heroine, I am rooting for her 100% . School, ugh, what a potential ordeal, I hope she’ll be happy and find her tribe 🤞🤞
Well what a marvelously encouraging comment. Thank you so much. And to be enjoying my memoir equally to 'A Gentleman in Moscow', one of my favourite books of the last years - high praise indeed. That book simply goes on getting more fascinating and imaginative as you progress. You are in for a treat. Hopefully, a double treat! Thanks again, Christine
Thanks Debs. Marvellous rich and full response. So thrilling for me that you are able to get so fully into this story and that, as you describe it, there is so much shared experience from your own growing up. Really appreciate that you took the time to write so fully. Many thanks.
More episodes shortly...
You seem to have been so excited about life and keen to enjoy what was on offer and put aside misgivings. These pieces bring back for me much of the flavour of growing up a girl in England at that time. How wonderful to have a father who was kind and enjoyed you and whose company you relished!
Just re-read parts V and VI and then onto VII in one sitting. What fabulous writing - I feel like I was there too - so many things to reflect on and enjoy. The things that really struck a chord with me were your father's advice about tomorrows - 'that they usually took care of themselves' - that's a great one. I love the way he asked for your thoughts on improving Brighton and can imagine the shared walk along the Undercliff. Disastrous haircuts - we've all had those, and so agonising for a sensitive child.
I remember well from my own childhood those cardboard dolls with glorious outfits and little folding tabs to clip them to the doll... I'd forgotten all about those. How I loved them!
The fight was beautifully described - oh how awful to have your dress come apart - I feel for that little girl. But I think you were a plucky fighter. Your relationship with Marco is so nicely progressed - from uncertainty to camaraderie. And the glamorous Carole, full of the promise of potential friendship! I felt entirely in your head with this piece...
You can remember so much detail from the day at the races. Fantastic evocation of the trip.
How will school turn out? Really looking forward to finding out....
Have written a longer comment. This is just to add...oh those tabs for the paper dolls' clothes. Thanks for mentioning them (and all else) they really brought a smile when I remembered folding then over to keep the dresses on and how they sometimes went on askew if you didn't fold them just so. It required neat fingers!