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Somewhere Towards the End

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Somewhere Towards the End

By: Diana Athill
Narrated by: Claire Bloom
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About this listen

National Book Critics Circle Award, Autobiography, 2010

What is it like to be old? Diana Athill, born in 1917, made her reputation as a writer with the candour of her memoirs.

In Somewhere Towards the End she reflects frankly on the losses and occasionally the gains that old age brings, and on the wisdom and fortitude required to face death. This is a lively narrative of events, lovers and friendships: the people and experiences that have taight her to regret very little, to resist despondency and to question the beliefs and customs of her own generation.

©2008 Diana Athill (P)2009 Orion Publishing Group Ltd Art & Literature Authors European Literary History & Criticism World Literature Celebrity

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All stars
Most relevant  
I am but 23 years of age, not old, not yet concerning myself much with the matter of my own mortality and able for the large part to put 'the end' to the back of my mind but this book was more pleasurable to listen to, and more relevant than any I have recently consumed directed at my own demographic. I love Diana Athill and the way she reflects upon life and how she and others of her acquaintance choose to live. This book is not only warm and gently amusing, but enlightening and my week has been the richer for it.

Wise and Wonderful, a rare treat before bedtime

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Death has not been part of polite conversation in the UK for...ever?
I've always wanted to ask people of a certain age about their lives, their hopes, dreams, failures and how they feel waking up every day knowing, this could be my last day.
Thank you Diana Athill for providing me with some sense of one person's view as they neared the end of their life; fortunately a long one. I appreciated the 'warts and all' candour of her writing which blended humour and melancholy in equal parts.
I didn't learn anything I hadn't already surmised about the view (I'm mid 50's) of increasing in age and reflecting on one's own mortality, but it was well worth the listen to confirm my own suspicions and conclusions.
And her philosophy for life is just as good for us all as it was for her irrelevant of personal circumstances, "enjoy yourself as much as you can without doing any damage to other people.”

The End - A refreshing listen

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I learned a lot, I thought a lot, I enjoyed it a lot. Abd the thought that a lover and also a mother can cannibalise a woman’s life shocked and educated me in equal measure.

Brilliant narration, unique insight into late years

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Why would this insufferable woman publish this. Great that writing it was some kind of catharsis. At 85 I have neither the time or patience to read about her doings and was not pleased to hear her disparaging views and descriptions of others..

Too much information

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A far too rare insight into ageing and death. Honest and informative in parts. Too much information about her friends operations and illnesses and rambles far too much towards the end. Refreshing to hear of the advantages of later life and great to hear much older people have healthy active sex lives.

An interesting perspective of ageing and death.

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The author has an amazing talent for saying things just how they are. The story of her life is not only interesting, honest and frank. Though slightly repetitive at times her unique style of life broadens the mind. I would recommend this book to both male and female adults from young to old and believe that every one who does read it will face the future in a different and more positive light.

Beautifully read

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Had high hopes but it rather put me off her. I found it dull and even dozed off in parts. Unless you are a stalwart fan, try another biography

Ultimately dull

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