Gonville: A Memoir

by Peter Birkenhead

Book Overview

In powerful and spirited prose, Peter Birkenhead recounts a childhood spent trying to make sense of his father, a terrifying, charismatic presence who brutalized his family physically and emotionally... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416598839
• ISBN13: 9781416598831
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful read!

I bought "Gonville" and received it in the mail a couple of days ago. I haven't put it down since. It's the perfect combination of heart wrenching prose and comedic genius. Peter tells his story about the difficult years of growing up with an abusive father and loving mother and how that shaped his life. However it was shaped, Peter has blossomed into a wonderful writer. Everyone should read this book!

heart-wrenching and hilarious!

I read this book in two days. I could not put it down. I'm a big fan of Running with Scissors but I think I loved Gonville even more. It's a heart-wrenching, hilarious, honest and insightful memoir. Peter Birkenhead captures the ambivalence we all feel as children (and adults) for our parents. If you grow up with an abusive parent, that ambivalence is even more complicated and he expressed that beautifully and with such compassion. I urge everyone to read this book.

A fantastic book!

Gonville is amusing, touching, and compelling. Peter Birkenhead is a wonderful writer who has written one the best memoirs to date - you won't be able to put it down. If you liked the Liar's Club, Catcher in the Rye, or Running with Scissors, then Gonville is must-read.

could not put this book down!

I had read some of Birkenhead's articles before and I always liked them-- always insightful and funny. so I was intrigued to read his memoir. It did not disappoint! He's got such a great story-telling sense, I could visualize every moment. And while this is a very personal tale, so much feels so familiar to me. We all have our own versions of the crazy family member, but thankfully, someone wrote it down with love and humor. It's a great read.

A Brave, Intense Book.

Gonville is a powerful debut memoir. Birkenhead recalls the details of his early life with profound skill and honesty. A naturally gifted story teller, Birkenhead paints a vivid portrait of his father and their complex relationship. More than just a memoir about a father and son, Gonville also examines the complicated truths about what it means to be a man, a member of a family, and to grow up, once and for all. Gonville's prose is shocking. Unless your old man was Mr. Rogers, Gonville is a harrowing reminder of the powerful influence a father has over a son's life.