Magda Szubanski

There was a clear generational divide in views with this month’s read. Our over 60s found Magda to be noticeably self-absorbed and indulgent in the telling of her story. Most felt it a result of therapy sessions and although interesting and in some ways topical, it lacked the punch and depth to really engage.
Those in the younger (albeit, not by much) category found Magda to be quite stimulating and thought-provoking. They found she came across resilient and easily relatable. Her struggle with her sexuality and father’s history took precedent over her career milestones, which enhanced the story for some but proved a weakness for others.
There were comments surrounding Magda’s father/daughter relationship and whether she was able to come to terms with what she knew of his involvement in the Warsaw resistance. This obviously made a strong impression on her as a child, and may have halted their relationship in a number of ways. Was the writing of Reckoning her means of dispelling the demons left by such knowledge? Some believed so, but also believed that it was unsuccessful to the point of reconciliation. “She still appears a troubled and confused woman” was one comment.
We found ourselves in lively conversation about the distinction between generations and parenting styles, and of course the highly publicised discussion on same-sex relationships. As a club we don’t tend to read many biographies, so for a genre shift it proved an interesting reading exercise which resulted in an even more interesting conversation. Thank you ladies, it’s been another great year!… (més)