Hideous Kinky

by Esther Freud

Book Overview

The debut novel from the author of Summer at Gaglow, called "a near-seamless meshing of family feeling, history and imagination" by the New York Times Book Review

Escaping gray London in 1972, a beautiful, determined mother takes her daughters, aged 5 and 7, to Morocco in search of adventure, a better life, and maybe love. Hideous Kinky follows two little English girls -- the five-year-old narrator and Bea, her seven-year-old...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880016884
• ISBN13: 9780880016889
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Morocco, as a Child

I first saw this as the movie, and then ran into it in a bookshop in Morocco. It's a very different story than the movie. More intense, less Hollywood, and more effectively the story of a child, rather than the story of Kate Winslet, movie star. The story therefore is a bit hard to follow, as it's the perspective of a six-year old. But once you relax into that persona, Freud writes amazingly well from the perspective of a six-year old. I would imagine a child traveling through Morocco as her mother looks for money and spiritual guidance would react and feel exactly this way. The initial story about the mother's friend who is sick seems tangential- but then, the point is the perspectives of a child. Living here in Morocco, I can also attest that Freud has hit the country and culture spot on. She accurately describes the bilad, the country, and Marraksh, and the border entry. For those looking for a story to reveal the true Morocco, from a Westerner's perspective, this is one of the better books out there. This is a beautiful story of awareness, of the wants and needs, of being a child. For a moment, as you read this book, you too may become as one, seeing everything with the needs of the moment, and the desires of the heart.

A very moving story.

This book is interesting from beginning to end -- a wonderful story that is very enjoyable to read. The perspective from which it is written (through the eyes of a five-year-old) enables us to see and experience life a little differently, and that is unique. It is well written, and the characters are all richly drawn and memorable. I found it to be touching, funny, sad in parts, and very moving. I read a lot of books, and have not come across such a strikingly good one in quite a while. I didn't want it to end.

"Through the eyes of a child / You will learn how to see.."

"Through the eyes of a child / You will learn how to see.."I saw the film when it opened at the Seven Gables last Friday. Now I'm looking forward to the book. I loved Kate Winslett's luminous portrayal of winsome, clueless Mum, and admired her plucky young daughters for matter-of-factly living with the chaos until she woke from her quixotic dream."Then the tide rushes in / And washes my castles away.."

Seductive innocence seen through a child's eye!

This is absolutely enchanting book full of colors and spice, showing us not only the adventures of a mother and her daughters on a trek of self discovery through Morocco, but also the panorama of a country that was the Mecca of the hippie movement of the 70's. It is a vivid recollection of said adventure, seen from the point of view of a 5 year old child.

Incredible book

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's lighthearteded and funny, yet still has a complexity that makes you want to reach out and hug these little girls. I wholeheartedly recommend it.