Monday, 14 July 2008
Now the summer holidays are upon us, and mindful that the true rate of inflation is 18% (Daily Mirror 14/07/08) and that the crumbling Spanish City Dome is not what it was, or will be in the near future; Playhouse closed along with the leisure pool. The Telegraph is extolling the virtues of Hadrians Wall, and there are bits of it in Wallsend (Segedunum), with Arbeia - a Roman Fort- in South Shields. They are in better condition than the seafront too.
Or... you can buy the book 'Wife in the North', by former Sunday Times journalist Judith O’Reilly (...her husband still works there) who makes their holiday home (?) near Alnmouth the family home and presents it as if it were on the Shetland Islands. Rubbing along on just £120k a year, and with a curious amount of spare time (quote:"My husband might have been missing in action but I do have help with the children".... "Five of us squished together (six if you count the nanny)" .....), Ms O'Reilly moans on about missing London (Islington),having to struggle, (with a nanny for the children! and pots of cash),and how lonely she is etc; But she finds solice in 'blogging' her thoughts,then shamelessly(?) exploits all her media contacts and bags a book deal of £70k (advance). Don't expect to recognise this as the Northumberland we know, it's all of 35miles from the Metro Centre. Another world you know.....
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Even wealthy middle class mothers can struggle, can't they?
An addendum to the 14th July Blog.
How is it that a former investigative journalist such as Judith O'Reilly omits the significant role of her nanny who provides the childcare. Is it 'Faking it in the North' ? I enjoy a good yarn like anyone else, but I know first hand - and still do - the time consuming but rewarding work that is required by a parent in looking after a child. I don't have a nanny, but those that do should acknowledge the significant help they enjoy.
3 comments:
Yes, it is a different world, and I think the point of the book is about feeling alienated and dealing with living with someone elses decision to relocate.
People are allowed to be relatively wealthy and have emotional experience.
if you don't get alot of the self-depreciating humour and her vulnerablility- A little analysis- take out the specifics of location and, to an extent, personalities and you have a classic tale (told on many a mothers behalf) about finding community and coping with new environments.Of course she's going to hate it, till she learns to love it as many Northumbrians do, but don't kid yourself that all north Easterners have a constant 'Canny' attitude to this end of the country, in fact Judith has supported more local businesses than most of the locals are even aware of, never mind willing to use themselves.
Read the book, perhaps, leaving behind preconceptions of a 'Poor Little Rich Girl'prejudice you seem to hold.
Sarah
To be fair again, the publisher only gives you the advance it thinks you're going to make. The author has very little to do with that sum. Most authors would be thrilled to be given that much, not just for the money but for the show of confidence in future sales.
Oh dear, you seem to have upset the wife into removing one of your comments and reinstating her comment moderation. Perhaps the truth hurts?
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