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Loading... Somewhere Towards the End: A Memoir (2008)by Diana Athill
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Delightful and succint insights and reflections from a woman reaching her late 80s. She has a positive outlook, intentionally so, accepting of the dwindling energy and appetites of age, but finding plenty still to take satisfaction in. If anything, she’s inclined to be a bit complacent or indulgent of her lot (smug, she says) but her poised and spirited phrases and descriptions are a joy: arresting, stimulating, and comforting in their graceful and candid delineation of our common humanity. The prose has a lush feel, and yet is ultimately rather thin in that not much really takes hold (as I was able to note on an almost-immediate reread, returning for more depth than was actually to be found). But dipping in to any page will bring pleasure. ( ) I look forward to hearing conversations and varied wisdoms from senior citizens. Now that I am in my mid 60s, they often serve as a guide on what I can look forward to or from. I enjoyed Ms. Athill's book. It was very honest and touching in many places. She looks upon her life with little regret even as a mistress. My notes from the book: Not being able to take dogs for a walk Sixties- within hailing distance of middle age Faith-the decision to act as though you believe anything that you have no reason to believe. (Diana is an atheist.) It's dying (not death) that I am afraid of. No one past 80 has the right to complain about death. Re-reading old favorite books Two regrets: 1) childlessness and 2) never having the guts to escape the narrowness of my life. God will forgive me, that's his job. no reviews | add a review
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An esteemed memoirist and one of the great editors in British publishing examines aging with the grace of Elegy for Iris and the wry irreverence of I Feel Bad About My Neck. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)828.91409Literature English & Old English literatures English miscellaneous writings English miscellaneous writings 1900- English miscellaneous writings 1900-1999 English miscellaneous writings 1945-1999 Individual authorsLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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