Welcome to my last blog hop for a while, as not only will we be at our caravan next week and more often during the summer, but I’ve also decided to cut down drastically on social media use for my own peace of mind.
Is there a book in your TBR pile that you’re more excited about than the others?
I suppose there is… yes. I have bought ‘A Very Private School‘ a memoir by Earl Spencer (brother of Princess Diana), to read while I’m away on the Isle of Wight later on this week. I couldn’t resist as I love reading memoirs, and this book seems particularly interesting.
Description:
In this poignant memoir, Charles Spencer recounts the trauma of being sent away from home at age eight to attend a boarding school.
A Very Private School offers a clear-eyed, firsthand account of a culture of cruelty at the school Spencer attended in his youth and provides important insights into an antiquated boarding system. Drawing on the memories of many of his schoolboy contemporaries, as well as his own letters and diaries from the time, he reflects on the hopelessness and abandonment he felt aged eight, viscerally describing the intense pain of homesickness and the appalling inescapability of it all. Exploring the long-lasting impact of his experiences, Spencer presents a candid reckoning with his past and a reclamation of his childhood.
I used to think when younger that I’d missed out on not having a private education, but then again the shock of being 8 years old and being wrenched away from your parents to suffer cruelty and bullying at a private school doesn’t really do it for me. I’ve spoken to people who went to private schools and who worked in private schools, and from what they say I think I was happier going to my comprehensive school. The most worrying thing I heard from somebody who worked in admin at a private school, was that she suspected a few of the teaching staff were having sex with the pupils. There was I in my state comprehensive totally innocent and untouched, and that’s the way childhood should be. Some of these parents pay thousands of pounds per term, and all they might get is a damaged child for life with A* grades at the end of it all due to sexual abuse by people in a position of trust.
Let’s see what other blog-hoppers are excited to read. Please click on the blue button below to find out.
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Snapdragon said:
Both private and public schools are terrible in their own way.
Enjoy your break.
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dgkaye said:
Sounds juicy. I shall look forward to your review on the book. Enjoy the Van! ❤
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Samantha Bryant said:
I hope the book is good and so is your break!
@samanthabwriter from<a href=”http://samanthabryant.com“>Balancing Act</a>
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Samantha.
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petespringerauthor said:
We’ll catch up with you again down the road. I’ve been at this a lot less longer than you, and I know well-timed breaks are a necessity.
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Stevie Turner said:
They are indeed, otherwise it becomes a chore.
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richarddeescifi said:
Have a relaxing break. I enjoyed reading some boarding school stories as a child but never fancied going myself. Although being an apprentice at sea for months at a time was similar in many ways.
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pjmaclayne said:
I can’t imagine sending my children away at the tender age of 8 or nine to allow someone else to raise them. I liked being around them!
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Stevie Turner said:
Why have them in the first place if you just send them away and miss out great chunks of their childhood?
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Liz Gauffreau said:
That’s my perspective on boarding schools, too.
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Liz Gauffreau said:
Neither can I!
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Miriam Hurdle said:
Enjoy your break and your summer, Stevie!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Miriam.
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Clive said:
Enjoy your stay on the IoW. I hope the book comes up to your expectations – I think the man is a privileged idiot but don’t let that put you off!
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Stevie Turner said:
He suffered horrendous abuse by paedophile teachers who got away with it, and by reading some of this book already today he has long lasting mental health problems.
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Phil Huston said:
Enjoy your peace of mind. Not too sure about the book, the world is full enough of bad behavior as it is🤣 Private school and teacher predators – a story for another time. Be safe!
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Stevie Turner said:
I’ve started reading it. All I can say is that I’m glad my parents didn’t have the money to send me to a private school.
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janetweightreed10 said:
I love the Isle of Wight – enjoy your time there..:)
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Stevie Turner said:
I will! Thanks Janet.
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Darlene said:
I have the audio version of The Grapes of Wrath that I have always wanted to read. So that will be my next book I’m looking forward to. BUt I have many! Enjoy your time away!!
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Stevie Turner said:
I remember reading this book as a teenager and enjoying the story. I think a lot of it is based on fact.
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beetleypete said:
I am hoping to read the hardback of ‘This Much Is True’, the autobiography of Miriam Margolyes that my wife bought me over a year ago. I just can’t seem to get back into reading at the moment though. Enjoy your time on the IOW, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Stevie Turner said:
I’m making myself read now. This social media malarkey has interfered with my concentration levels. I’m looking forward to some time off after tomorrow.
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davidprosser said:
Have a nice break Stevie and come back to us refreshed. Hugs
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks David. I will write some more posts, but after I’ve had some time off.
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