More on Stuart a Life Backwards
(This time from Stepping Stones)

Because the book is written "backwards" it's harder to be
sympathetic with Stuart, 'tho it's interesting stylewise. It makes it
appear that his childhood experiences with school, bullying,abuse, and pain are like mitigation for later behavior rather than an understandable basis for his path to violence,substance abuse,crime,etc.

Though Masters himself is from a different world,and he did veer from being sympathetic to "cut and dried" in his attitude to homelessness I think Stuart would mostly liked the book - though there could have been more humorous anecdotes, which may have stopped the book dragging a bit after the midway point.

Many homeless people have a sharp/"near the knuckle" sense of humour which can be essential to survival/dealing with their situation.

As to the author's assertion that the homeless "need a new brain", apart from showing up his occasional callousness, he could be right in a way. Unfortunately, after any long period of time people become institutionalized and any treatment like
perhaps cognitive behavior therapy (if offered!) become harder to gain
positive results from - not to mention that people with chaotic lifestyles
would find it near impossible to take part in such regular treatments.

I hope this book might make people think about their attitudes to homelessness, but it may well confirm things they already thought as well. I
would happily have a coffee with either of the 2!....cheers,

B
pp (Stepping Stones)