Books Not Of But About Childhood

As I mentioned in a previous post,  two of my favourite books (The Fountain Overflows and  A High Wind in Jamaica) are classics not of but about the experience of childhood. There is nothing so skillful, so magical, as a work of fiction that successfully evokes for the adult reader what it is like to be a child. (Adults remember just enough to know instinctively when the author's got it all wrong.)  Sometimes books intended for children can do this for adults --but only  sometimes, not all the time, because that is not the purpose of those books. Children don't need to be reminded of how it feels to be immersed in a state they are already engulfed in. But adults, particularly the ones who have children or know them -- or, come to think of it, the ones who were children -- do. I personally want to be reminded again and again. So here is the beginning (only the beginning!) of a list of highly regarded books not of but about childhood:

The Fountain Overflows

A High Wind in Jamaica

The Man Who Loved Children

The House in Paris (suggested by Andrea Barrett in  her introduction to The Fountain Overflows)

Call It Sleep (also suggested by Andrea Barrett)

Thursday's Child (suggested by CAAF)

Loving Sabotage (suggested by the folks at The Complete Review)

I've just put in my order but don't worry, I'm sure I'll be making another one. So if you have a suggestion, please do share it.

Comments

[Katie]

I would nominate The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, one of my very favourite novels. The story about the childhood of a set of fraternal twins, it's a beautiful portrayal of the child-mind. Can't recommend it highly enough!