Product Description

Diana Athill, born in 1917, made her reputation as a writer with the candour of her memoirs; through her commitment, in her words, 'to understand, to be aware, to touch the truth'. In a celebration of her life and writing, "My Lives" brings together four of her best-loved memoirs in one volume, spanning her very English childhood, her life and loves during World War II, her publishing career at Andre Deutsch, and her reflections on old age. Introduced by Ian Jack, Diana Athill's selected memoirs are a remarkable testament to an unusual and fully lived life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2184 in Books
• Published on: 2009-11-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 800 pages

Review
'There is a sense throughout Athill's works that you are making a new friend as much as reading a new story' Observer 'What sets her apart is the flagrancy and wit of her writing - her memoirs display a vivacious appreciation of the life she has lived and what is still to come' New Statesman 'Athill has always had a peculiar and attractive talent for communicating her pleasure in life' Telegraph Athill tells her own story lightly and delightfully' Daily Mail 'Diana Athill is one of our most captivating and truth-seeking memoir writers, and this hefty four-books-in-one collection spans most of her 92 years' Good Housekeeping

About the Author
Diana Athill was born in 1917. She is the author of Instead of a Letter, After A Funeral, Don't Look at Me Like That, Make Believe, Stet and Yesterday Morning, all published by Granta Books. She lives in London.

Customer Reviews

This book will be MY bible.
Diana Athill should be a guru. No-one can make you feel life is so enjoyable as she does. How wonderful that at 92, this vibrant, intelligent woman is still fully aware, with all her marbles and her penetrating wit.
She has no sentimentality but she writes with compassion and great humour. This book will remain by my bedside for a long time, to dip into again and again.
For anyone over 65, this is a guide on how to grow old gracefully, or even how to ignore your age. It is absolutely essential reading and also entertaining, thought-provoking, interesting and intelligent. What more can you ask for a writer, a person, a book. Diana Athill is a National Treasure. She says her aim was to capture the truth in her writing. Well, whether this is THE truth or not, it is certainly HER truth, and her honesty shines through so loud and clear. A great pleasure to know this woman inhabits the same planet as me. This book is life-enhancing.