Picasso

This is a moving account of what it is like to be brought up in the shadow of a universally renowned genius. Marina Picasso portrays her grandfather as a tyrant but also manages to view him with a sympathetic eye - he was unable to relate with his family because 'isolated within his work he had lost all contact with reality and withdrawn into an impenetrable inner world'. The children of Picasso's son grew up in poverty. Their father was little more than a servant to his father and their mother, Olga, merely wanted to cash in on the family name. But it was the lack of affection which Marina and her brother Pablito found it hard to cope with. They had to make appointments to see their grandfather, and would sometimes be turned down. As Picasso fell out with his women, ceasing contact with his children, so Marina and Pablito would lose playmates who could understand their predicament. Marina Picasso's description of the joys and - more often - sorrows of her childhood is accompanied by her account of her personal journey in the world of analysis, which led to an understanding of her family, the events which shaped them and ultimately herself. This is a sensitive work, impressive in its handling of delicate issues of selfhood. It contains no trace of bitterness, merely regret at what might have been. There is a strong sense of love, clan loyalty and finally a peaceful resolution. This is a fine examination of a family which bears a famous name. (Kirkus UK)