AnthonyBurgess’ ChildhoodExcerptedfrom Little Wilson and Big God, the first volume of hisautobiography. More than mostautobiographers,
he places his life in the political, social and economiccontext of his time and place. Eruditeand witty, as he always is. My favoritepart was the song Harold Smith taught Anthony: I want to be alone, Yes, I want to be alone. I want to be alone with Mary Brown. Would I take her through the park? Yes, I’d kiss her in the dark And tell her she’s the nicest girlin town. Is she a raving beauty? No, I wouldn’t call her that. Has she a form like Venus? No, she’s just a trifle fat. But she’s got a lot of dough And she’s single now, you know, So I want to be alone with MaryBrown.Charming. And apparently influential, since Anthonymarried into money, himself.