A Life in Pieces

Young Bartholomew is tasked with sorting and publishing his grandfather's papers, which reveal his journey as a closeted gay boy in 1950s and 1960s England. Bart becomes caught up in piecing together the man who wrote them and questions how we perceive and understand ourselves. He decides to publish the book, which follows his grandfather's journey in Greece and amateur acting, and finds release and a new sense of possibilities in Thailand. However, was the new self any less fictive than earlier ones?

Format: Unspecified
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

Young Bartholomew, fresh out of university, embarks on a mission to Thailand, tasked with sorting and potentially editing and publishing the papers of his late grandfather, Ta. While he was aware of his Ta's homosexuality, Bart initially experiences a slight shock upon delving into the material he discovers. As he immerses himself in the task of piecing together the man who wrote those papers, he begins to ponder profound questions about how we perceive and understand ourselves.

Determined to honor his grandfather's legacy, Bart decides to publish a book about his grandfather's journey growing up as a closeted gay boy in 1950s and 1960s England. The book, titled "A Life in Pieces," follows his adventures in discovering different possible selves in the vastly different society of Greece during the 1960s and the transformative power of amateur acting.

After becoming disillusioned with the suffocating atmosphere of an academic career and attempting to shape himself into a self that he could not maintain through marriage and fatherhood, Ta seemingly finds release and a renewed sense of possibilities in Thailand. However, questions arise as to whether the new self he has embraced is any less fictional than the ones he had previously constructed.

Through their journey together, Bart and his grandfather, Ta, explore the complexities of identity, self-discovery, and the search for authenticity. They confront their pasts, confront their fears, and embrace the beauty of human connection. "A Life in Pieces" is a poignant and introspective tale that offers a unique perspective on the human experience, reminding us of the importance of embracing our true selves and living authentically.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805141372