An Education by Lynn Barber is a small book which I read over about four days for book club, which meets next week.
I had not heard of the book, nor seen the film so I wasn't sure what to expect. It is an account of Lynn's life, the meeting with the man Simon, who is older than her and she eventually forms a sexual relationship with him, yet doesn't love him. She seems to know little about this man. Strangely her parents seem happy to push her into marriage with him and drop the idea of her going to University (no need if getting married - those were the days!) and then the bomb shell. Simon is married and was about to commit bigamy.
What happened certainly coloured her life but she was a survivor. She worked for Penthouse magazine, interviewed famous people, later worked for various Sunday supplement magazines and won awards for her journalism. She married a wonderful man and had two children. She seemed to have it all.
What I like about the style of writing here is that it speaks to the reader. It's like she has taken you for a drink and is pouring out her life, warts and all. She comes across as very honest with her feelings. The final chapter where she talks about her husband's illness and death is so open, with raw emotion. She feels guilt and analyses her feelings. It is not over sentimental, just purely how she felt at the time ,while the ending is hopeful. I felt genuine sadness when her husband died.
The book was quite a surprise and a pleasure to read. Never one I'd probably pick myself and that's the wonder of book clubs - finding the treasures you might otherwise miss.
I had not heard of the book, nor seen the film so I wasn't sure what to expect. It is an account of Lynn's life, the meeting with the man Simon, who is older than her and she eventually forms a sexual relationship with him, yet doesn't love him. She seems to know little about this man. Strangely her parents seem happy to push her into marriage with him and drop the idea of her going to University (no need if getting married - those were the days!) and then the bomb shell. Simon is married and was about to commit bigamy.
What happened certainly coloured her life but she was a survivor. She worked for Penthouse magazine, interviewed famous people, later worked for various Sunday supplement magazines and won awards for her journalism. She married a wonderful man and had two children. She seemed to have it all.
What I like about the style of writing here is that it speaks to the reader. It's like she has taken you for a drink and is pouring out her life, warts and all. She comes across as very honest with her feelings. The final chapter where she talks about her husband's illness and death is so open, with raw emotion. She feels guilt and analyses her feelings. It is not over sentimental, just purely how she felt at the time ,while the ending is hopeful. I felt genuine sadness when her husband died.
The book was quite a surprise and a pleasure to read. Never one I'd probably pick myself and that's the wonder of book clubs - finding the treasures you might otherwise miss.
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