[ad/gifted - I received a proof copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
Author & Title: My Rude Awakening by Edward Charles Featherstone
My rating: 5/5
Publication date: 3rd October 2024
Blurb:
The honest, explicit and extraordinary memoir of Edward Charles Featherstone—Englishman, Businessman, Polo Player and Combat Pilot—My Rude Awakening reveals an astonishing account of life lived with passion and intensity.
From the lush green Berkshire’s polo fields, through the ardours of military helicopter training, to the white heat of flying combat missions in the Middle East, Charles’s journey is a riveting tale of privilege, peril and profound personal transformation.
Raised amidst the traditions of English upper-class society, Charles’s life takes an unexpected turn when he embarks on a forbidden, intoxicating affair. This passionate relationship not only challenges societal norms but also ignites a deeply personal awakening that defines his transition into manhood.
Then as a combat helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force, Charles faces the brutal realities of war and harrowing experiences that still live with him to this day.
Prepare to be shocked, captivated and inspired by the raw, unvarnished truth of this shy boy’s unforgettable journey of love, loss, and survival into adulthood.
Review:
I love reading memoirs and usually my favourite way to consume them is via audiobook, especially if they are read by the author. This is mostly because I find it brings them to life a bit and keeps my attention more. My Rude Awakening, however, was written like fiction so I was hooked from the start.
When I first heard about this memoir, I was intrigued by its description but also felt a little out of my comfort zone as it probably wouldn't have been something I'd pick up of my own accord, but that is the beauty of signing up to blog tours, it expands your horizons and introduces you to books that may surprise you.
My Rude Awakening follows Edward Charles Featherstone (a pseudonym, which I think adds to the intrigue) and his life coming from a wealthy family, playing polo, shooting, before going to the RAF as a helicopter pilot. I really enjoyed hearing about these moments as it is so different from anything in my own life, a girl who grew up in Belfast in the 90s, which is what I love about memoirs. I did originally wonder why the nom de plume, but as the story progresses and you see the explicit honesty on the paper, it becomes clear why you maybe wouldn't want people in your real life to know this much about your personal life.
I especially enjoyed the chapters about Charles's grandfather and it became clear how much of an influence he was and the comparison between his grandfather his friend James when they met in the RAF. Special mention to Osric too because I am always here for animals.
The real crux of the story however, is Charles's relationship with a much older woman, the mother of one of his friends, and his sexual awakening in a way at the age of 20 and how he then goes from boy to man. I am not a prude and read a lot of books where the subject matter can be explicit or morally grey, and nothing really shocks me. There were occasions throughout My Rude Awakening where my eyes did widen a bit.
What I want from a memoir is for it to be raw and honest but also for the author to reflect on themselves and I think that's what we get here.
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A massive thank you for Midas PR & Edward Charles Featherstone for having me on the blog tour and for the beautiful gifted hamper. You can find information about the other bloggers taking part in the tour in the graphic below.
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