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james1star's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This is a short and impactful non-chronological memoir where the Louis is writing to his dying father. He recounts different memories from his childhood that provide an insight into their father-son relationship, family life and how this had impacted himself. From these accounts, the author puts forward a rather love/hate outlook towards his father and how neither attitude seems the right one. Louis had a somewhat hard childhood with a distant father (who we learn grew up with an abusive alcoholic father) who likes to drink, it’s preferable when he’s not there and teaches a ‘that’s life’ approach. He also had to deal with homophobic rhetorics presented from both parents poking fun at his ‘girlyness’ and how other people see him as a ‘fa***t’. But also there is tenderness in how his father defends his son in some aspects, they have outings and other things. It’s nuanced for sure. There is also more but I don’t want to explain too much.
If you haven’t taken note yet but the title is ‘Who Killed My Father’ with no ‘?‘ because it’s a statement where Louis spills the truth on who in power was responsible for causing further strain on his father and many others like him. He talks of policies put into legislation decreasing support offered to the poor and vulnerable, forcing people back into work despite inabilities and others, all the while reducing tax on the rich. So yes, it’s an awakening to the detrimental effects of these unfair politics and a look at contemporary French society and class.
I did find this book quite impactful and emotional, the writing is good and understandable. It’s important to share these stories and facts. I do wish it was a bit longer and maybe gave more insight into Louis’s exploration of his sexuality but overall it was a decent and recommended read.
Some impactful quotes:
‘You belong to the category of humans whom politics has doomed to an early death.’
‘I reconstruct the image as best I can, but reality has the quality of dreams: the harder I try to grasp it, the more it slips away.’
‘When I look back on the past and our life together, what I remember most is what I didn’t tell you. My memories are of what didn’t take place.’
‘Is it normal to be ashamed of loving?’
‘For the ruling class, in general, politics is a question of aesthetics: a way of seeing themselves, of seeing the world, if constructing a personality. For us it was life or death.’
If you haven’t taken note yet but the title is ‘Who Killed My Father’ with no ‘?‘ because it’s a statement where Louis spills the truth on who in power was responsible for causing further strain on his father and many others like him. He talks of policies put into legislation decreasing support offered to the poor and vulnerable, forcing people back into work despite inabilities and others, all the while reducing tax on the rich. So yes, it’s an awakening to the detrimental effects of these unfair politics and a look at contemporary French society and class.
I did find this book quite impactful and emotional, the writing is good and understandable. It’s important to share these stories and facts. I do wish it was a bit longer and maybe gave more insight into Louis’s exploration of his sexuality but overall it was a decent and recommended read.
Some impactful quotes:
‘You belong to the category of humans whom politics has doomed to an early death.’
‘I reconstruct the image as best I can, but reality has the quality of dreams: the harder I try to grasp it, the more it slips away.’
‘When I look back on the past and our life together, what I remember most is what I didn’t tell you. My memories are of what didn’t take place.’
‘Is it normal to be ashamed of loving?’
‘For the ruling class, in general, politics is a question of aesthetics: a way of seeing themselves, of seeing the world, if constructing a personality. For us it was life or death.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Classism
Moderate: Terminal illness and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism
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