Drawing Breath-bookcover

By: Jennifer Ellis

Drawing Breath

Pages: 192 Ratings: 5.0
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A book of memories.


Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, childhood is peppered with untold freedom and strict codes of behaviour. There are fears of not being accepted, not conforming and for those suffering from gender dysphoria, there is nowhere to turn.


A convent education brings Jennifer intense friendships, unrequited love and tussles with belief and disbelief in a higher being. She finds diversion in play acting and searching for adventure in the role of her alter ego.


Emerging from the protective arms of a white middle class family, she confronts the harsh realities of life with a charismatic young man as her cicerone. After four years of teaching bring feelings of inadequacy, of not being up to the job and finding no place in heterosexual British society, Jennifer decides to start afresh and to leave England.

Jennifer was born in Kidderminster in 1944 and grew up in a middle-class family. She attended Holy Trinity Convent School from the age of five until eighteen. On to Goldsmiths College London where she trained as a primary school teacher, studying drama as her main subject. After gaining a teaching certificate, she taught for two years at Fawley Primary School and then two years in Grove Park southeast London.


In 1969, she emigrated to Sweden.

Customer Reviews
5.0
5 reviews
5 reviews
  • Jan Pålsson

    “Jennifer, I received my copy of Drawing Breath the day before I left for Stockholm, and I’ve spent most of my spare time reading it. I was so delighted and impressed by it. It was so very interesting, and I felt I learned a lot at the same time I enjoyed reading something I could relate to from my own perspective. It was full of good humor and love.”

  • anonymous

    “Your book arrived yesterday. I’m now up to page 122 and thoroughly enjoying it, both the stories and the writing. Amazed and impressed at the detail you remember from your school days. Also impressed at your honesty.”

  • Pat Revill

    “I’ve now finished it. A great read!”

  • Tessa Culley

    “So, pleased to receive your book and have at last found time to browse. What struck me first was your great writing style and memory for detail. It flows so well, and I look forward to an in-depth read. You certainly have had the most interesting of lives.”

  • Editorial Board Austin Macauley

    “Your work was found to be a powerful and moving memoir. The chronicling of your experience as a child and its impact on your life is incredibly moving and evokes a strong sense of empathy in the reader. The Board was keen to comment on the poignancy of your work and applauds the way in which you have tackled a difficult subject. …. The assured writing style and the honesty with which you detail your experiences makes this story one that will resonate with those who may be facing similar struggles.”

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