Grant Wardell-Johnson

This is a work that I suspect will sit with me for a long time. I feel it is important, far from easy, although written in very readable prose. What makes it difficult concerns the ethical perspectives of a form of hyper-empathetic and frustrating ‘innocence’ which takes the form of obedience. A significant clue to this work, lies in the quote from Paula Rega (which has been mentioned in at least one interview with Sarah Bernstein and is at the beginning of the work). The quote ‘in some sense’ equates obedience and murderousness. Not that obedience can lead to murderousness, but it is a form of it. Obedience here is a bit Nietzschean. There are clear references to antisemitism and misogyny, but these form the space for deeper insights. It is worth persevering, if like me, you don’t feel you are understanding the work at the outset. Grant