As I read these, I am taken right into your spaces and feel them keenly because your writing is such that it ushers one in with you. With each chapter, at the end I always find myself thinking, "I simply can't imagine." And that is on so many levels. Thank you for writing this part of your life story.
I have read each one of your posts and have loved them all - loved not the right word probably for such a painful story but you evoke the time and place so brilliantly and give it such nuance that I want to keep reading. Although some of it is alien to me as someone who went to a comprehensive other aspects of school life in that era are strangely familiar - gristly, greasy school dinners, adults who take out their own sorrows on children, peer group embarrassment, lack of freedom (those last two probably haven't changed.) I am right there in that school with you. I am sure all your readers are. And in this week's post we see Cruel Matron physically for the first time stomping around in her sensible shoes. But your writing is never black and white, there is always nuance, always honesty and generosity so the characters are never 2D. It's much more subtle.
Bravo Emma, please keep writing (and recording). I love the black and white photos moving to colour when you go home for the holidays by the way.
I have found your stories / memories so very evocative and yes, I love your reading of them, so I am glad that you are continuing. My memories of that time at school are so very much dimmer than yours although reading and listening to you does bring back some locked away memories. Like you, in the first couple of years I was sent from overseas, in my case Kenya, at age 8 and I struggled somewhat, but Kind Matron, Myfie, was a real sweetie and I have happy memories of her at least. We all piled into her little living / bedroom once a week to watch Top of the Pops and The Man from UNCLE and I also recall calling in on her years later for afternoon tea in her house in Steep. She gave me her German Grammar books for some strange reason and I still have them on my shelf. And yes, I do now recall two big retrievers that Cruel Matron had.
I am so sorry that you cannot make the reunion in June.
Thank you for this lovely comment, Hugh. I remember Kind Matron very well - for that reason: she was kind! Unlike her opposite over in the girls’ dormitories. We envied you.
As I read these, I am taken right into your spaces and feel them keenly because your writing is such that it ushers one in with you. With each chapter, at the end I always find myself thinking, "I simply can't imagine." And that is on so many levels. Thank you for writing this part of your life story.
Fantastic, Emma - your writing gets better & better. And I loved being read to - like most 8-year olds, I suspect....
Emma,
I have read each one of your posts and have loved them all - loved not the right word probably for such a painful story but you evoke the time and place so brilliantly and give it such nuance that I want to keep reading. Although some of it is alien to me as someone who went to a comprehensive other aspects of school life in that era are strangely familiar - gristly, greasy school dinners, adults who take out their own sorrows on children, peer group embarrassment, lack of freedom (those last two probably haven't changed.) I am right there in that school with you. I am sure all your readers are. And in this week's post we see Cruel Matron physically for the first time stomping around in her sensible shoes. But your writing is never black and white, there is always nuance, always honesty and generosity so the characters are never 2D. It's much more subtle.
Bravo Emma, please keep writing (and recording). I love the black and white photos moving to colour when you go home for the holidays by the way.
Melissa Mouchemore
Thank you for this lovely, fulsome comment, Melissa. And for the comment on b/w to colour. I'm so glad that worked.
Dear Emma,
I have found your stories / memories so very evocative and yes, I love your reading of them, so I am glad that you are continuing. My memories of that time at school are so very much dimmer than yours although reading and listening to you does bring back some locked away memories. Like you, in the first couple of years I was sent from overseas, in my case Kenya, at age 8 and I struggled somewhat, but Kind Matron, Myfie, was a real sweetie and I have happy memories of her at least. We all piled into her little living / bedroom once a week to watch Top of the Pops and The Man from UNCLE and I also recall calling in on her years later for afternoon tea in her house in Steep. She gave me her German Grammar books for some strange reason and I still have them on my shelf. And yes, I do now recall two big retrievers that Cruel Matron had.
I am so sorry that you cannot make the reunion in June.
Love Hugh
And thank you for reading it, Dawn.
Thank you so much Lal and I’m delighted you are enjoying the audio.
Thank you for this lovely comment, Hugh. I remember Kind Matron very well - for that reason: she was kind! Unlike her opposite over in the girls’ dormitories. We envied you.