Told in the third person, this is the story of how a young girl survived growing up in a volatile household in the 1920s and 1930s. How school and later university became her escape route from a family filled with secrets and violence. It is also a story of how, as a mature woman and a mother herself, she came to face what had happened to her as a child. How she had to bri Told in the third person, this is the story of how a young girl survived growing up in a volatile household in the 1920s and 1930s. How school and later university became her escape route from a family filled with secrets and violence. It is also a story of how, as a mature woman and a mother herself, she came to face what had happened to her as a child.

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The Bean Patch has 92 ratings and 16 reviews. Jenny said: It is really hard to say what I think about this one. It will certainly stay with me for a whil. But there is much else that is astonishing about Shirley Painter and her memoir, The Bean Patch. It is a brooding, eloquent and vivid story about growing up with a stepfather who beat her so violently she was taken to the morgue when she was four, presumed dead.

How she had to bring long-buried memories into the light in order to move on. It is really hard to say what I think about this one. It will certainly stay with me for a while. A gruelling and disturbing story. At times confusing, it mapped a life full of sad and terrifying events and memories mixed with moments of resilience and sheer guts and determination. Like the author herself, as a reader there were parts that you really hoped hadn't happened. Her recollections, even after she wrote this novel, were questioned.

I just can't fathom how she was able to put pen to pape It is really hard to say what I think about this one. It will certainly stay with me for a while. A gruelling and disturbing story.

At times confusing, it mapped a life full of sad and terrifying events and memories mixed with moments of resilience and sheer guts and determination. Like the author herself, as a reader there were parts that you really hoped hadn't happened.

Her recollections, even after she wrote this novel, were questioned. I just can't fathom how she was able to put pen to paper and recall the harsh, cruel and horrifying events of her early life.

It must have been a gruelling effort to allow herself to reveal what had occurred and am not surprised that it was it written later in her life. Have been reading her tributes after her passing last year, she was a much loved and respected teacher for most of her life and no doubt made it her aim to ensure children reached their potential. Perhaps it was a way for her to repay the debt she had to her own teachers who often provided the lifeline she needed. Vale Shirley Painter.

During the beginning and even up until I was half way through this book I was questioning if there was more or reasons other than her simple explanations as to the decisions and reasons for the author's behaviour and actions. I continued to feel she was writing and exploring her past at a surface level and I wanted to delve in and ask more complex questions to break open the story behind the story. Finally, the last few chapters provided a detailed and at times incomprehensible explanation that During the beginning and even up until I was half way through this book I was questioning if there was more or reasons other than her simple explanations as to the decisions and reasons for the author's behaviour and actions. I continued to feel she was writing and exploring her past at a surface level and I wanted to delve in and ask more complex questions to break open the story behind the story. Finally, the last few chapters provided a detailed and at times incomprehensible explanation that I felt were slightly inferred through the book. Whilst the story was sad and delved into such a shocking and, at the moment prevalent issue of domestic violence there is a story of inspiration and hope and how one woman was able to live a life and work through the demons of her past.

Even though the topic of domestic violence weaved in and out of the story line this book was easy to read. I find it interesting that a lot of readers have said they did not enjoy the way the book was written - with jumping through time and space, many characters that all blur into one so you can't remember which did what, and often being unclear as to what actually happened. I think this is perfect because it puts you in the shoes of the character. You never remember your life in a straight line and I can imagine how you would not trust your own recollection when everyone tells you it's wrong so the I find it interesting that a lot of readers have said they did not enjoy the way the book was written - with jumping through time and space, many characters that all blur into one so you can't remember which did what, and often being unclear as to what actually happened. I think this is perfect because it puts you in the shoes of the character. You never remember your life in a straight line and I can imagine how you would not trust your own recollection when everyone tells you it's wrong so therefore there are always fuzzy bits so you just get the overriding emotion.

It also left me in a sort of dumbstruck horror as you have guessed what happened but can't quite believe that it did because it's so terrible and you never know what horrible thing might be alluded to next. There are also the odd paragraphs which suggest something about a character which is never mentioned again which (for me) helps build up the complexity of the story and leaves me wondering what else don't I know. Even if these events never did occur it still leaves me thinking what a horrible life some people have.

The Bean Patch Woodbury Tn

From Australia to U.S.A. About this Item: HarperCollins, Sydney, 2002. Condition: Very Good.

Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition. Signed by Author. Told in the third person this is the story of how a young girl survived growing up in a volatile household in the 1920s and 1930s. How school - and later university - became her escape route from a family filled with secrets and violence. It is also a story of how as a mature woman and a mother herself she came to face what had happened to her as a child.

The Bean Patch Weston Missouri Info

How she had to bring long-buried memories into the light in order to move on. Signed to the previous owner by the author on the 1st page, previous owner's name on the title page and, taped to the inside of the 1st page, is a newspaper clipping dated 2/5/03 in which the announcement of the book had won the annual Dobbie Award for a 1st book by an Australian woman writer was announced. Size: Mid Sized Paperback ( 7¾' - 9¾' tall ). Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Category: Biography & Autobiography; Psychology & Psychiatry.

Signed by Author. ISBN/EAN: 214. Inventory No: 0253951.

Post will be reduced to $7.80 for posting inside Australia, at the time of processing the order. If paying by PayPal, shipping will not be reduced. Seller Inventory # 0253951 5.