Just Sayin’ by Malorie Blackman review – against the odds

The former children’s laureate shares her sometimes enraging story of rejection, determination and resilienceAt the beginning of Malorie Blackman’s engrossing and often shocking memoir, the former children’s laureate asks: “Why am I an author?” What she goes on to tell us certainly shows how she was able to succeed: absolute determination, powered by rejection and by the love and support of others.The memoir eschews a strictly chronological approach. There are five themes – Wonder, Loss, Anger, Perseverance, Representation and Love. The prose and occasional poem contain intimate, often painful and sometimes funny insights into the author’s life.Born in south London in 1962, Blackman’s parents were part of what’s now referred to as the Windrush generation – British citizens encouraged to move to the UK after the war. In Barbados, her father had been a master carpenter. In the UK he drove buses. Her mother worked in a factory, denied further education back home, since school money was saved for the boys. It was a “staggered” family – Blackman’s parents coming to England first, her older Barbados-born siblings joining them later. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-10-19 06:30:17 UTC ]

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Life Lessons from Memoirs

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Serpent's Tail snaps up 'devastating' memoir from Fuller

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Every Tory MP sent This Is Going to Hurt as reminder of Jeremy Hunt's record

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Last minute Father’s Day gifts for 7 different kinds of book-loving dads

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Former NBA star Dwyane Wade to publish a memoir this fall

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Review: Colin Dayan's 'In the Belly of Her Ghost' exorcises memories of mother after she's gone

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Rob Zabrecky's memoir 'Strange Cures' is an ode to a forgotten L.A.

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Debbie Harry of Blondie to release her first memoir

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Jonas Brothers announce a memoir for fall release

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Penguin Random House pledges £15,000 to diverse children's bookshop

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OWN IT! signs emerging artist Kirsty Latoya

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Tales On Moon Lane to open second shop

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Bookouture signs three thrillers from NHS psychologist

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John Blake to publish kidnapped model Chloe Ayling

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