Why be happy when you could be normal? Jeanette Winterson writes that this is what her mother said when she was told her adoptive daughter was gay. The title is appropriate. This is the author's memoir of a somewhat sad upbringing dominated by her adoptive mother: Mrs Winterson. It is relevant that the author never calls her 'mother', always Mrs Winterson. It could sound as if this is all so gloomy: a life dominated by a God-fearing mother, a bible basher in extremis. However, just when there is a huge catch in your throat the author's brilliant writing often ensures you see some humour in the moment. This is really a series of stories which ...  Read the complete review