Sounds magical, doesn’t it? Growing up in the boathouse on Balmoral Beach. But in the words of Philip Larkin, the late Poet Laureate: ‘They f—k you up, your mum and dad...’. This lovely woman, Annabet Ousback, and her brother, Anders, were denied what every child is entitled to and needs, the love of their parents. A cold, cruel father is a bad thing, but an unloving mother, no matter which way you look at it in modern terms, is an unforgivable thing.
A large portion of this memoir is taken up with Annabet’s childhood years which she presents in a straight down the line narrative. Annabet’s parents didn’t like her but they were openly contemptuous of Anders who, when he grew up to be a successful, well known and much admired restaurateur and caterer, finally became the light of his mother’s life. Anders was a troubled, complicated man and Annabet loved him unconditionally. That Annabet even knew how to love is, I suppose, a testament to the indomitability of the human spirit. The latter part of the story with all its ups and downs is told with more emotion than the earlier and quite beautifully done. Although Annabet says she wasn’t sure what secret Anders had been keeping in relation to their father I think it is quite clear from Anders’ writings.
Annabet’s story is quite remarkable in that she also carved out a successful career for herself. She had a lot of hiccups along the way but I won’t spoil it by saying how her story has eventuated. I wish Annabet and her family every happiness.
It’s every child’s right to feel loved and wanted.
5 out of 5
Published by Bad Apple Press
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