"Magnificent . . . A tour de force of literature and love."?Vogue

"Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is raucous. It hums with a dark refulgence from its first pages. . . . Singular and electric . . . [Winterson's] life with her adoptive parents was often appalling?? but it made her the writer she is."The New York Times

"[Winterson is] one of the most daring and inventive writers of our time?searingly honest yet effortlessly lithe as she slides between forms?? exuberant and unerring?? demanding emotional and intellectual expansion of herself and of us. . . . In Why Be Happy???? [Winterson's] emotional life is laid bare . . . [in] a bravely frank narrative of truly coming undone. For someone in love with disguises?? Winterson's openness is all the more moving; there's nothing left to hide?? and nothing left to hide behind."le

Jeanette Winterson??s bold and revelatory novels have earned her widespread acclaim?? establishing her as a major figure in world literature. She has written some of the most admired books of the past few decades?? including her internationally best-selling first novel?? Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit?? the story of a young girl adopted by Pentecostal parents?? that is now often required reading in contemporary fiction classes.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is a memoir about a life??s work to find happiness. It is