There are a lot of memoirs currently from what are ostensibly “ordinary” people. Where once the autobiography was the domain of the rich and famous, the celebrated and the notorious, it is now dominated by everyday folk with a story to share. However, I am discovering that ordinary people live extraordinary lives, whether due to their familial circumstances or the times they live in or in Robert Norris’ case, a knowledge of what he didn’t want to do – fight in the Vietnam War –but no idea of what he did, with no life or career plan.
Having survived the war and the punishment meted out, Norris finds himself in a state of disillusionment and flux, which leads him to travel extensively and experience life as an itinerant worker, drifting and exploring. Friends are made on the way, some keepers who feature throughout his story, others who play a part at a certain time and are remembered in his “mind movie”, a phrase that he uses (and which I rather like) to describe his recollections.
Eventually, Norris makes it to Japan where he lives to this day, finally finding a place to belong. Here, he has, through hard work and perseverance, carved out a life in Japanese academia, becoming an emeritus professor, richly deserved for his diligence.
There was much to like about this memoir. Norris is an intelligent, thoughtful writer with an awareness of exactly how much detail to contain so that the reader does not become bogged down in the extraneous. The book is about him but it is, as the cover suggests, an homage to his mother, a stable and positive presence throughout his life, despite the miles apart, who supported and provided him with the best role model he could possibly have: a woman prepared to work hard to provide for her family; to maintain a positive outlook despite the odds against her; to aspire to learn, travel and explore new things into her later years; to conquer obstacles placed in her way. The love and respect that Norris has for his mother is palpable.
As well as being a solid memoir, the book is inspirational in showing that there are many paths through life if one has the courage to explore them, especially if they are outside of what is perceived as the “norm” and with the right attitude and encouragement, much can be achieved.
Scuffed Granny 