Books
by Diana Athill
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Life Class: The Selected Memoirs of Diana Athill |
Athill's four books of memoirs - published here in one volume - recount her life from privileged country childhood, through the sad years after she was jilted, fifty years as editor for André Deutsch and on into old age and approaching death. Her intelligence, honesty ('get it right') sanity and wisdom shine through, as does her delight in the world around her. A remarkable book by a remarkable woman. I can't recommend it too highly.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 59 Winter 2011) |
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Somewhere Towards the End |
A must read book - whatever your age. Adopting the rather outmoded literary form of the essay, Athill reflects on life - her life - growing old, relationships, sex and death among other subjects with an almost brutal honesty. And what a life, she has to look back on; publisher, editor, writer, lover always unconventional. She writes beautifully, with wit, humour and a complete lack of sentimentality, terrifying but refreshing and uplifting.
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 63 Winter 2011) |
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