Scatological, erotic, poetic, moving and funny, this fictional diary hits plenty of home truths. I was fascinated by its insights into the male psyche and the stories the body revealed about the narrator.
Extract
Thursday 19 November, 1936 13 years, 1 month, 9 days
When I was thinking back on all my fears. I drew up a list of feelings: the fear of heights that crushes my balls, the fear of being punched that paralyses me; the fear of being afraid that distresses me all day; anxiety that gives me diarrhoea; emotion (of any kind, even delightful) that gives me goose bumps; nostalgia (thinking of Papa, for example) that brings tears to my eyes; surprise that makes me jump (even a slamming door!); the panic that makes me pee; the slightest little sorrow that makes me cry; fury that suffocates me; shame that shrinks me. My body reacts to everything. But I don't always know how it will react.
