My Dirty, Shiny Life by Lily Bragge

This is what Andrew O’Hagan describes as a misery memoir. The only reason I read it was that the writing is really good. But the story, oh for heaven’s sake. It’s Lily’s life, her dreadful violent upbringing, unplanned pregnancies, drug use and heroin addiction, suicide attempts and then, yes you guessed it, she finds Jesus. Years ago when my dad was dying in Hawaii a support person gave me her book to read and comment on. It was essentially the same tale – dissolute youth, promiscuity, drug addiction, and finally salvation. I don’t know what to think about that, merely remark on the similarity of these stories. Perhaps people who have nothing to live for can find a purpose through religion?