We narrate our life and, in doing so, we narrate ourselves into existence.
In everyday life, we understand ourselves through a kind of ongoing story. Rachel Robertson (2012)
This book emerged from a life lived in parts: part in the UK; part in Australia; part traveller; part writer; part academic teacher and researcher; part daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, step-mother, step-mother-in-law, and step-grandmother – but the implication of the parts is always fully feminist.
From a childhood in the UK’s chocolate-box pretty Cotswolds, a university education in Liverpool in the ‘Swinging 60s, and an adult life in Perth, Western Australia, Lynne tells stories that offer readers of all generations space to reflect on their own lives, and the only way a story gets told in this book is if it happened. This is philosophy without the boring bits because the stories make you think. They are intimate, universal, global, fun and unbelievably true.
Lynne dives deep into her reservoir of stories – sometimes waving, sometimes swimming or treading water, but never drowning. They are stories of life filtered through a reflective lens sharpened by analysis and sometimes bitter experience. They are stories of a life journey well travelled.
表中的内容
Preface
The scaffold
Making meaning at school / university
Making sense of work
Making sense of place: The Cotswolds / Devon / Liverpool / Australia
Making sense of people: Mum / Dad / ANZAC / Lyall
Making sense of family: Marriage
The meaning of parenting: 1990-91
Making sense of family: Grand-parenting / In-laws / blended families
Making sense of the lifecycle: Old age / Care-giving / Medical advocacy / Ruth’s death
Values: Making sense of politics / feminism / courtesy / religion / secrets
Lifestyle and culture:The meaning of travel / music / customer service / one-liners
Conclusion: Making sense of me