Somewhere Towards The End

Somewhere Towards The End by Diana Athill

'There is a sense throughout Athill's work that you are making a new friend as much as reading a new story ... a delight to read' Observer WINNER OF THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY PRIZE, the moving and witty memoir on what it means to grow old. Written in her nineties, when she was free from any inhibitions she may have once had, Diana Athill reflects frankly on the losses and occasionally the gains that old age can bring, and on the wisdom and fortitude required to face death. Lively, fearless and humorous, Somewhere Towards the End encapsulates the vibrant final decades of Athill's life. Filled with events, love and friendships, this is a memoir about maintaining hope, joy and vigour in later life, resisting regret, and questioning the beliefs and customs of your own generation. 'Informative, honest and lacking in the usual sorrow over old age. A remarkable woman' Beryl Bainbridge 'An honest joy to read' Alice Munro 'The book is a moving and humorous account of old age, unsparing about its indignities, unflinching from the inevitability that the end can not be many years away, but full of joy at the way life keeps on, at the most unexpected moments, renewing itself' Irish Times 'Her brilliant book is entirely lacking in the usual regrets, nostalgia and Hovis-ad recollections of old-timers. It is a little literary gem, penned by a marvellous, feisty old character ... What a treasure' Daily Mail

Her brilliant book is entirely lacking in the usual regrets, nostalgia and Hovis-ad recollections of old-timersIt is a little literary gem, penned by a marvellous, feisty old character ... What a treasure * Daily Mail *
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 *
The book is a moving and humorous account of old age, unsparing about its indignities, unflinching from the inevitability that the end can not be many years away, but full of joy at the way life keeps on, at the most unexpected moments, renewing itself * Irish Times *
Part exposé, part treatise on old age, the book is a ruminative read * Sunday Times *
Exhilarating and comforting, so much good sense, candour and liveliness of spirit in such clean, clear prose -- Simon Gray
[She has] a cold eye for reality and no time for sentimental lies -- Jenny Diski * Sunday Times *
A candid look at getting near the inevitable -- Fiona Phillps * Daily Express *

Diana Athill was born in 1917. She worked for the BBC throughout the Second World War and then helped Andre Deutsch establish the publishing company that bore his name. She is the author of five volumes of memoirs, Stet, Instead of a Letter, After a Funeral, Yesterday Morning, Make Believe, and a novel, Don't Look at Me Like That. She died in January 2019.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781847080691
ISBN 10	1847080693
Title	Somewhere Towards The End
Author	Diana Athill
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Granta Books
Year published	2008-12-04
Number of pages	192
Prizes	Winner of Costa Biography Award., Short-listed for Galaxy British Book Awards: Borders Author of the Year., Short-listed for Independent Booksellers' Book of the Year Award: Adults.
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable