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Robert: A Queer & Crooked Memoir for the not so Straight & Narrow
Robert Hamblin's much awaited memoir THE JOHN TREE A Queer & Crooked Memoir for the not so Straight & Narrow is a tale of a human who refuses to live in a box, confronting and healing from gender confines and racism. It's about excavating the truth in violent Apartheid South Africa where law and church decide which body can love another, based on colour or gender, brilliantly exploring the confines of the straight trajectory.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2021
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 6, 2021
#Robert - Robert Hamblin
#melindafergusonbooks
#nbpulishers
Robert Hamblin, the author, is an acclaimed photographer and artist, living in Cape Town with his wife, Sally, and their daughter, Georgia. But he was born Adéle Hamblin, daughter of the flamboyant, gay conman, Billy Venter. This book documents his journey; from the young Adéle, battling a confusing gender identity crisis, forever haunted by the mysterious and seductive Alexis, to a famous photographer rubbing shoulders with the likes of Pik Botha, Sandra Prinsloo and Edwin Cameron, but, nevertheless, feeling ‘Who I am feels dead, my beautiful feminine body a tomb that holds a beating heart, but a spirit without understanding of its meaning or where it fits.’ (p. 268)
As the subtitle (‘A queer and crooked memoir for the not so straight or narrow’) correctly states; Robert’s journey is shared with humour and honesty, in beautiful and poetic language; a true work of art. Even the acknowledgements were worth reading, especially the author’s words to Alexis: ‘I did and still love you but our baggage just did not match when we journeyed together. The pain of that permeated this story. I thank you….. for your love in the time you were in my life.’
My favourite chapter is the one titled ‘Old Xmas tree’, where Adéle finally decides to cut her hair - and to shed everything that it has symbolized: ‘My hair makes me look less manly….. doesn’t it ? You see….. my hair keeps my secrets.’
This book is recommended for readers daring to challenge life’s little boxes and deserves 5 stars from #Uitdieperdsebek
#melindafergusonbooks
#nbpulishers
Robert Hamblin, the author, is an acclaimed photographer and artist, living in Cape Town with his wife, Sally, and their daughter, Georgia. But he was born Adéle Hamblin, daughter of the flamboyant, gay conman, Billy Venter. This book documents his journey; from the young Adéle, battling a confusing gender identity crisis, forever haunted by the mysterious and seductive Alexis, to a famous photographer rubbing shoulders with the likes of Pik Botha, Sandra Prinsloo and Edwin Cameron, but, nevertheless, feeling ‘Who I am feels dead, my beautiful feminine body a tomb that holds a beating heart, but a spirit without understanding of its meaning or where it fits.’ (p. 268)
As the subtitle (‘A queer and crooked memoir for the not so straight or narrow’) correctly states; Robert’s journey is shared with humour and honesty, in beautiful and poetic language; a true work of art. Even the acknowledgements were worth reading, especially the author’s words to Alexis: ‘I did and still love you but our baggage just did not match when we journeyed together. The pain of that permeated this story. I thank you….. for your love in the time you were in my life.’
My favourite chapter is the one titled ‘Old Xmas tree’, where Adéle finally decides to cut her hair - and to shed everything that it has symbolized: ‘My hair makes me look less manly….. doesn’t it ? You see….. my hair keeps my secrets.’
This book is recommended for readers daring to challenge life’s little boxes and deserves 5 stars from #Uitdieperdsebek
July 20, 2021
The best part about this book for me were the evocative memories of my 20’s when I was an active member of the Johannesburg gay scene. Knowing Kensington, The Dungeon and other locations mentioned in the book made it personal - and I felt that I was listening to the memories of an interesting yet eccentric friend. Many of the struggles were real for me - and it is rare to enjoy a book in a familiar setting - far from the English moors, the camps in Poland and the world war 2 events in Germany. The last chapters of this book sped by far too quickly - and felt like an outline for a second book about Robert’s later years. I think this book should have been Adele and the next one Robert. I suspect that the compressed end chapters reflect the need to be sensitive to those living around and with one. So much easier to tease out the quirks and foibles of ones deceased relatives and estranged friends and lovers.
July 31, 2021
An intimate ride to a beautiful place.
The unwakening of truth so poignant and real, gentle and scary.
A book to get lost in.
Brazen, tender and beautiful.
The unwakening of truth so poignant and real, gentle and scary.
A book to get lost in.
Brazen, tender and beautiful.
September 28, 2024
I found Robert to be deeply relatable in certain elements of the trans lived experience that I haven’t seen articulated in other works before.
I believe my age (30 at the time of writing) prevented me from fully grasping some of the subtext and subtleties of the sociopolitical climate of the South Africa the book is set it, however, that doesn’t necessarily speak to the book.
I would highly recommend Robert to any adult LGBTQ+ person, even more so if they’re South African, and even more so if they identify as trans+. A really heartwarming and brutally honest book - exactly how I like my reading.
I believe my age (30 at the time of writing) prevented me from fully grasping some of the subtext and subtleties of the sociopolitical climate of the South Africa the book is set it, however, that doesn’t necessarily speak to the book.
I would highly recommend Robert to any adult LGBTQ+ person, even more so if they’re South African, and even more so if they identify as trans+. A really heartwarming and brutally honest book - exactly how I like my reading.
December 20, 2022
Fantastic book
What a fantastic book, having met both Robert and his wife much earlier in my life and up until now being able to read his life story and the journey through his transition is such an honour. Thank you Robert for an amazing read.
What a fantastic book, having met both Robert and his wife much earlier in my life and up until now being able to read his life story and the journey through his transition is such an honour. Thank you Robert for an amazing read.
October 25, 2021
This book gave me insight into another world of being. I couldn't put it down. A memoir of an artists life so far.....and wow, what a life. Well written and it sucks you in.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews