Motion Sickness: A Memoir

by David Layton

Book by David Layton

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2001

About the author

David Layton is author of the acclaimed memoir Motion Sickness. David grew up all over the world and now divides his time between Toronto and Barbados.
He is the son of the acclaimed Canadian poet Irving Layton and American author and journalist Aviva Cantor.

Reviews

[Mel Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read David Layton’s memoir while taking his life writing course at U of T. The son of two Canadian writers, his childhood was fraught with the turbulence of his parents’ inabilities to find solid ground. It is a story about a boy and his yearning for love and acceptance. It also takes the reader into the private lives of some of Canada’s most creative geniuses. His memoir is filled with lyrical prose and poetic metaphors and reminds us of the value in putting our childrens needs before our own.

[Eugène L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is extremely well-written. David Layton, a son of Irving Layton (famous English Canadian poet), describes his childhood as a mess. His eccentric father was irresponsible, his mother was lost in her problems; neither of them had time or energy for their child. And all this story is told through the boy’s eyes.

The last two phrases on the last page symbolize the whole book.

[Literary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a giant fan of autobiographies. I'm still not. This one was an alright read, though, but there were some parts that just lost my interest entirely. I think this all has to do with personal preference, though.

[Lucille Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had just read Leonard Cohen book so wanted to continue to learn about him. I love biographies so this was interesting to hear how the son of Leonard's friend perceived him.

[Eve Downar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story about a child with eccentric parents. It was a real treat to get inside the head of a famous author.
I wonder what he's like as an instructor...