Welcome to Litsy!

Yes, this is a novel about a severely disabled boy growing up, and growing up gay, in 1950s England. But not just. Pilcrow is a deeply meditative and entertaining novel about a boy gifted with an indefatigable, unbridled imagination. His physical challenges; the realities and abuses of institutionalization; a flawed, loving family; his explorations of his sexuality: all this, but more than all this - a profound celebration of wonder and of play.

Found a lovely photo of her in an outfit such as John described here, but from the 1980s or even 90s; this one is from the 1960s, which is where we're at in the story - but her outfit doesn't match.

Google informs me that, like 'the loo,' 'khazi' is British English slang for the toilet.

(Gisela had been his German masseuse at the previous institution for the handicapped where he lived; she had taught him a smattering of German during his massage sessions.)

"Mrs. Dale's Diary," apparently, was a ridiculously popular BBC radio drama from 1948-1969. 'Gyp' is a noun that's slang for pain or trouble. I couldn't easily find an etymological link between it and the various verbs that derive derogatorily from 'gypsy."

CRX: The abbreviation for the institution for the physically handicapped where our preteen male protagonist lives

taily: his and his mother's word for 'penis'

CRX: The abbreviation for the institution for the physically handicapped where our preteen male protagonist lives

taily: his and his mother's word for 'penis'

This is for you, @shawnmooney . 💚&💚

Growing up in Saskatchewan, Canada in the 70s, I was familiar with the short form of the "my eye" idiom
but not the Betty Martin extension. A saltier version was "my ass!" to express disbelief.

Favorite place to read No. 3 - with Maisey