Jul 2013 | $29.99pb | Hamish Hamilton
The subject of Peter Goldsworthy’s title is his first eighteen years and ‘the getting of stupidity; the getting of wisdom would have to wait’. His father was a teacher, which meant that, in the 1950s and 1960s, the Goldsworthy family was frequently uprooted to different parts of South Australia and, in one memorable instance, to Darwin. People were left behind, but, most importantly, each move introduced Peter to new books and new ideas. The story of his youth is also one of serious illness, from asthma to later lung problems which required serious medical attention. These physical weaknesses did not stop Peter taking on all-comers in verbal contests, although physical defence of his honour was often delegated to more capable friends. In self-deprecating terms Peter describes his naive, self-confident ways, which often ruined attempts to make meaningful contact with girls, and which still caused him trouble as an eighteen-year-old. But Peter was not just a reader; by the end of the book he has become a writer, a published poet and a medical student. The writing is honest, unflaggingly humorous and entertaining, and conjures up wonderful images which enable the reader to share Peter Goldsworthy’s own journey. More please.
BiP Staff Review by Chris
