A review by graywacke
A Memoir of My Former Self: A Life in Writing by Hilary Mantel

reflective medium-paced

4.25

I was a little worried about reading a bunch of essays I might not be interested in, but this turns out to be captivating stuff. The most mundane, her movie reviews, are entertaining and include some fun movies. But there are simply some lightning essays in here. Many are about the Tudors and Wolf Hall. Some about her other books, especially A Place of Greater Safety. Some are on overlooked women authors. She was an excellent writer, able to make her essays playful in a writerly way. Sometimes she could be very humble, but always witty. Sometimes she would be starkly assured and confident, almost presenting divine proclamations. I found that a little strange. But overall, I loved the collection and its richness.