In 1979 a young dyslexic boy makes a book for Book Week to be displayed
in his primary school classroom. He calls it The Pink Book. It is a collection
of softly painted pink pages with no words, no sentences, yet with a very
strong story to tell. Forty years later, Henry von Doussa has written into
those pink pages to free the waiting story.
'This is a book with stories of youthful
suffering. But it shows how
the struggle for creativity and originality can contribute
to healing.' THE HON. MICHAEL KIRBY AC AMG
The Pink Book is a memoir about family, sexuality, class,
and fear and grief through the HIV/AIDS epidemic, highlighting life's
juxtaposing forces: beauty and suffering, freedom and constraint.
The Pink Book contains Henry von Doussa's art, writing,
and precious objects (including old family letters and photographs) to tell a
story of growing up through the 80s and 90s, asking: What gives a family lift?
What drags a family down? It explores the power of creativity to understand and
ease the mental
ill-health that hangs as an ever-present spectre over multiple
generations of an Australian family.
The Pink Book from Clouds of Magellan Press is an
exceptionally crafted, beautifully presented publication designed by
award-winning book designer Sean Hogan.
Henry von
Doussa, henryvondoussa.com Contact
Sean Hogan, trampoline.net.au
Clouds of
Magellan Press, cloudsofmagellanpress.net