Whatever is a memoir written by Saskia Bailey, who is yet to turn 21. A memoir at her young age? What could have happened in her life to warrant sharing her experiences in the form of a book?
Bailey is the daughter of two eccentric artist parents and is the granddaughter of the legendary Jim Bailey, founder of DRUM magazine and she is currently an English major at UCT.
“I wanted to write this book so that young people can know they aren’t the only existential f**k-ups in a generation being bred on dread for the future. I’d also really like older and ordinary people to read it, those who are interested in finding out what lies behind our much-maligned generation’s brains when we are not on our phones.”
In its preface, Saskia refers to the book as ‘the ramblings of a sometimes f**ked up and confused 19-year-old’.
The book is well written and quite refreshingly honest. Bailey comes across as a young lady fully aware of her strengths and weaknesses. Be warned it is also unfiltered and would likely distress many a sensitive reader. Without passing judgement on the author’s lifestyle choices, while reading it my eyebrows made frequent contact with my hairline. Fasten your seat belts, you’re in for a helluva ride.
Saskia, so far, has certainly experienced an uninhibited life in technicolor and at full tilt. Drugs, drink, and sex play a big part of her ‘adventure trip’. In contrast, at her book launch, she pleasingly came across as vibrant and together.
“So, I’ve written it and now I’m putting it out into the world and getting written out of the will and dumped a few more times and spat on by toddlers with hyphenated first names.”
Even with lifted eyebrows I found Whatever a compelling and extremely worthwhile read and look forward to more from the Saskia Bailey pen.
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