Well written, honest, and of course wonderful from a 90 year old, but not as interesting as I had hoped, nothing very original either in what she thinks or how she says it. Someone had complained that there was too much sex, but the sex content seemed to me mildly expressed and entirely acceptable. Didn't like Ms Athill herself very much - a cold fish, except with regard to her mother. Altogether, not thrilled. ( )

Unusual in terms of autobiography because here is less is more. She writes in riffs around a topic rather than just tediously plodding through everything which happened. Shrewd observational stuff. ( )

As I get older (and closer to Ms. Athill's age), I find that some of the basics of life are more perplexing than I thought they were when I was younger. This memoir was delightful to me because the author is quite candid about her flaws and perceptions, and I found that, really, a lot of what she has to say is very relevant. Each chapter is its own secular story or remembrance, so this is not a diary or a full-life memoir. It is more a commentary on aging and how things change the older we get. ( )

She writes very well. She talks about being old. I think she is trying to be honest.

Autobiographies are never really my favourite thing, but I do occasionally give one a spin. This gets a raspberry from me. Diana Athill is clearly an upper class lady who thinks quite highly of herself and has led a privileged life. Consequently I find her story a difficult one to warm to. Where is the humility? Nevertheless this book is quite an achievement for a ninety year old to complete. Ms Athill still has a sharp mind but I don't think I'd find her a sympathetic old lady. ( )