“Half memoir, half travel, A Yank Back to England...is an absolutely wonderful book, not only about going home again but also about love and family and tradition and the passage of the years.”
—Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic (Washington
Post)
To see the entire quote, click here.

Monday, December 8, 2008

My Nan holds court at “The Vic,” part 1

“Like a Tartar, Mum was,” said Jessie. “A real Tartar. When the drink was in her.”
Jessie said ‘the drink in her’ as if her mother, my grandmother, had been possessed of a spirit other than gin. And Jessie could see it as clear as clear, as though it were yesterday. I thought I could, too: an aging lady, her looks, along with husbands and lovers, all gone – but there she was, holding court in that pub, holding onto what was left. Friday night was always the big night out, because Friday was pay day and the Vic, really the Victoria Public House, was the place to go. And Nanny Evans always came along. According to Lew, my old grandmother would sit in the corner nursing a Guinness. Then, suddenly, she’d be reminded of the vicariousness of her existence and the fragile jollity of her demeanor would implode into a searing jealousy of her daughters and their boyfriends. It was their time.
“And your Nan would sit there drinking and then, for no reason, she’s start in on one of us. For no reason at all,” said Lew, to me. “And God help us when she did. All us boys were fair game.”
Then Saturday morning would roll around and, I was told, she would happily remember nothing.
“You dreaded it, but you had to take it.” Lew sounded regretful, even sympathetic. “Had a hard life though, your Nanny. They all did in those days.”

6 comments:

Jenece said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I have read a couple of your post..very interesting. Are these your experiences and you just create the short stories based on them? Is writing your hobby or are you jotting down your thoughts and experiences for an actual book? Is this your approach in doing that? I'm sorry for all the question..just curious!

Jenece said...

I see the little survey on the side tollbar..are you trying to gauge a potential book? If so, I like this approach..very smart way of doing it!

Jenece said...

I will read more of your articles..I have never been to England and maybe your little stories could help me imagine the place. I like this approach you're using. Sorry for all the post!

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Jenece, if you check back: thanks for all the nice thoughts and questions! Actually, the book is mostly written but we're cutting it down, and these are all bits that we've cut out of the book for pacing or whatever reason. These are all actual experiences... glad you're enjoying them!

Jenece said...

Ok, so have you published it yet or are you working on this?

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Hello Jenece,
Thanks for checking back! My agent is looking for a publisher as we speak--we can keep you posted if you're interested. (Send me an email if you want to be on the list!) In the meantime, enjoy the blog, check in often, and please tell all your friends!
Cheers,
The Prodigal Tourist