In his new book, Geoff Dyer reflects on his childhood in Cheltenham, infusing humor and irony into recounting his upbringing. Though known for his droll style, Dyer embraces seriousness in 'Homework,' a memoir that deviates from his usual digressive approach and narrates his life chronologically. He grapples with memories of modest beginnings in a household shaped by his father's frugality and self-acceptance. While the narrative form presents a challenge, Dyer's journey from innocence to experience reveals deeper insights about identity and upbringing.
Dyer's humour has never precluded seriousness about jazz, film, photographs, paintings, DH Lawrence and much besides. But as the title suggests, Homework is a duty in earnest, a task he's compelled (if only by himself) to complete.
To outsiders Cheltenham sounds posh, but the end-of-terrace house he grew up in was a modest two-up, two-down. His father worked as an aircraft engineer; he'd been in India during the war but after that his only trip was on a coach to France in his 70s.
If you were relatively happy growing up, as he was, in Cheltenham... and you want to be honest about your upbringing, then you can't muck about too much.
A nonfiction Bildungsroman is more of a challenge. It's a while before he hits his stride.
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