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Archiver > UK-WORKHOUSE-HOSP > 2004-06 > 1087764485


From: "Arcadia" <>
Subject: RE: [UK-W&H] Painful family secrets
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2004 21:48:05 +0100
In-Reply-To: <SSUes6AhWN1AFwBH@varneys.demon.co.uk>


It is always fascinating to see what gets picked up when you post to
these groups. I am not dismissing middle class memoirs, or any memoirs,
come to that. There are a lot of very interesting books out there, and
as most books are written by the middle classes then it follows that
they must be capable of writing something worth while.

My only objection is this idea by the middle classes that they should
write about their every experience, as if we are at all interested.
They then see it as their duty to do the rounds of chat shows and book
signings. This is all wrapped up in the belief that they are doing us
some sort of favour by writing about it in the first place. If this
isn't bad enough, it is also seen as some god given right that they
should be paid a lot of money for doing this. They then invent awards,
which they then win and think that this is an achievement. They fail to
see that it is all an old pals act, and that the people who have given
them the award are old Nigel and Cordelia from Uni.

Surely if the nanny state exists as Portello, informs us it does, then
the middle classes invented it, and what's more support it whole
heartedly.

I just find it all so very transparent and boring, maybe I'm just
getting old and cynical.

Regards Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: Eve McLaughlin [mailto:]
Sent: 20 June 2004 01:09
To:
Subject: Re: [UK-W&H] Painful family secrets

In message <000001c45653$79b64840$>, Arcadia
<> writes
>Hello Andrew,
>
>You certainly didn't offend me. I was just having a bit of fun, not
>intended to be at your expense by the way. I think that for someone to
>claim that they are traumatised by something which happened three
>generations earlier is pushing the realms of credibility, unless
there's
>a book deal in there somewhere.
Cynical, but accurate enough. The attitude sounds like that of a woman
laying claim to 'sensibilities' because she lacks enough work to keep
her busy.
But Don't dismiss middle class memoirs though - all memories are
fascinating, and a narrow class reaction will not do. Try 'Edwardian
Childhoods' by Thea someone (?>?Musgrave_ which collects stories right
across the classes, from poor ag lab and cripple from Lambeth to gentry
child.

--
Eve McLaughlin

Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians
Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society


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