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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
I'm not sure I can add to what others have said about this amazing little book of essays that then 98-year-old Diana Athill has written about her life, aging, and "things that matter." She writes about a sustaining feature of getting to be very old--and that is, having so many memories and stories, and getting to reflect on all the good and also not so good times, remembering friends, remembering wonderful places and good food and great experiences, and even getting to share them with others and listening to others share theirs. In these essays she reflects on her childhood; the post-World War II years in Britain; the experience of having a miscarriage that nearly resulted in her death; how to deal with family members when you disagree with them (from which I learn that, once again, I love the British: such lack of "drama" never happens with we Americans, who think that opinions and passion and yelling are evidence of superiority - and I shall aspire to be more like a Briton); her decision to move into a home for the aging (please let me find one just like hers); clothing and fashion; life lessons and the men in her life; books and the process of getting rid of them as you downsize; preparing for death.
She also writes about her memories of a visit to Trinidad/Tobago, and the feelings and thoughts it stirred in her. I was struck by her clear understanding and ability to convey the complex issues of colonialism, race and privilege - in the space of a few pages within an essay. How is it that a British woman born in 1917 could and can so readily see what many people are still refusing to see 100 years later??
I love Ms. Athill's writing, her clarity, her honesty, her generosity - because these reflections are a great gift. She is the very antithesis of maudlin or preachy or over-dramatic - some of the many obvious pitfalls of memoir. Read this book.
She also writes about her memories of a visit to Trinidad/Tobago, and the feelings and thoughts it stirred in her. I was struck by her clear understanding and ability to convey the complex issues of colonialism, race and privilege - in the space of a few pages within an essay. How is it that a British woman born in 1917 could and can so readily see what many people are still refusing to see 100 years later??
I love Ms. Athill's writing, her clarity, her honesty, her generosity - because these reflections are a great gift. She is the very antithesis of maudlin or preachy or over-dramatic - some of the many obvious pitfalls of memoir. Read this book.
I expect a lot of people will reference the warmth, life experience and wisdom of the author - which are all true. But what I loved about the short essays which make up this book is the liveliness, optimism, memories and practical strength. I particularly loved reading the colourful description and recollection of her grandparents' estate, gentle education of her mother into aspects of her life, and the collective planting of a rose garden in her retirement village.
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
inspiring
reflective
Lovely musings on aging, books, being alive and dying, written with wit and grace.
Old lady writes another book. Author apparently wrote a book about her life at an old age and became famous, that one I have not read and this is a follow up. It had some ok things to say, but really wasn't that exciting, possibly more famous because she was an old lady.