Diana Athill made her reputation as a writer with the candour of her memoirs, now aged ninety, and freed from any inhibitions that even she may once have had, 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 taught her to regret very little, to resist despondency and to question the beliefs and customs of her own generation.
Somewhere Towards the End
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More About the Author
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. A selection of her memoirs appear in Life Class published in November 2009. She lives in London.
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Guardian, The Times, Daily Mail, New Statesman, Observer
Book Description
On publication in January 2009 the paperback went staight into the top 10 bestsellers list. The book received numerous rave reviews and is now selling well in the USA.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
228 of 232 people found the following review helpful
By MagicMary
Format:Paperback
I bought this book whilst staying in Scotland with my husband's 86 year old grandmother and spent many a happy hour curled up by the fire reading it. In fact, I read only little bits at a time, so that I could prolong the enjoyment! I was surprised to read the damning reviews when I logged onto Amazon to add my two cents, having just finished the book on a sunny Sunday morning.
Though I did not relate to a lot of Athill's experience - having lived a very different life myself with an avid interest in monogamous love and motherhood - I admired her for having a strong sense of self at a time when women were often forced into loveless marriages and motherhood against their better judgment, because society expected it of them. What's more, she is not afraid to write about her convictions, though she knows that they will not be palatable to everyone - there's something about women who reject mothering that people still hold deep prejudices against (especially if the woman in question enjoys carnal pleasures for their own sake - shock horror!).
I think she has been accused in one of these reviews of not having truly loved another - she freely admits at the end of her book to a regret at having 'that nub of coldness at my centre' and bravely tells the story of her shameful disinterest in her cousin's young family. This is not the work of self-interest; she willingly reveals her faults and muses on her failings. It seems that at the age of 89, however, she has come to accept herself as she is...
I found her voice warm and witty and her life, being so different to those of her generation I had heard before (realistically, how many womens' voices of that generation do we hear?), fascinating. Read more ›
Though I did not relate to a lot of Athill's experience - having lived a very different life myself with an avid interest in monogamous love and motherhood - I admired her for having a strong sense of self at a time when women were often forced into loveless marriages and motherhood against their better judgment, because society expected it of them. What's more, she is not afraid to write about her convictions, though she knows that they will not be palatable to everyone - there's something about women who reject mothering that people still hold deep prejudices against (especially if the woman in question enjoys carnal pleasures for their own sake - shock horror!).
I think she has been accused in one of these reviews of not having truly loved another - she freely admits at the end of her book to a regret at having 'that nub of coldness at my centre' and bravely tells the story of her shameful disinterest in her cousin's young family. This is not the work of self-interest; she willingly reveals her faults and muses on her failings. It seems that at the age of 89, however, she has come to accept herself as she is...
I found her voice warm and witty and her life, being so different to those of her generation I had heard before (realistically, how many womens' voices of that generation do we hear?), fascinating. Read more ›
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this in two days. I loved its simplicity and clear-sighted, rigorous honesty. It is a personal and interesting look at old age - including subjects not much covered, like sex and love and regret in old age. I loved it, and it helped to get a perspective. Athill clearly has a keen and real love for life, and her thoughts on her own life were simple, powerful and sparklingly insightful. Wonderful book
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Beckyboo
Format:Paperback
I first read this book in 2008 and loved every page of it. How refreshing to share the thoughts and reflections of a woman who determined to manage her life in her own way, rather than following convention. Agreeing or disagreeing with Diana Athill isn't really the issue, just enjoy an honest and heart-warming story.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Suzie
Format:Paperback
Others have clearly loved this book, judging by the number of five-star reviews, but I'm afraid I really didn't like it very much. I couldn't warm to Diana Athill, who came across as cold and unfeeling, or to her writing style which seemed to me to lack any warmth or humour.
Admittedly she is honest - about her absence of emotional attachment and about her attitude to her mother's last days, for instance - but, morals apart, she seems rather obsessed by her sexual encounters as she refers to them even in chapters where they wouldn't normally feature.
The book has no particular structure, jumping from subject to subject, and often describing events and relationships from her earlier years. There's nothing wrong in reminiscing about the past, except that the blurb could give the impression that the book provides more of an insight into old age than it does.
There were sections that I enjoyed: a chapter about books, for instance, and another about her `irreligiosity' - an ugly word if indeed it is a word. She describes herself as irreligious yet brought up to adhere to Christian principles (although she seems to have ignored this where the seventh Commandment is concerned).
Maybe I was expecting something more akin to A Positively Final Appearance by Alec Guinness, which was witty and entertaining, and which I loved. Diana Athill's style seemed to me pretentious and flat, and her poetry is some of the most awful that I've ever read.
Its main merit is that it's very short, the nominal 182 pages condensed by the two blank pages that preface each chapter.
Admittedly she is honest - about her absence of emotional attachment and about her attitude to her mother's last days, for instance - but, morals apart, she seems rather obsessed by her sexual encounters as she refers to them even in chapters where they wouldn't normally feature.
The book has no particular structure, jumping from subject to subject, and often describing events and relationships from her earlier years. There's nothing wrong in reminiscing about the past, except that the blurb could give the impression that the book provides more of an insight into old age than it does.
There were sections that I enjoyed: a chapter about books, for instance, and another about her `irreligiosity' - an ugly word if indeed it is a word. She describes herself as irreligious yet brought up to adhere to Christian principles (although she seems to have ignored this where the seventh Commandment is concerned).
Maybe I was expecting something more akin to A Positively Final Appearance by Alec Guinness, which was witty and entertaining, and which I loved. Diana Athill's style seemed to me pretentious and flat, and her poetry is some of the most awful that I've ever read.
Its main merit is that it's very short, the nominal 182 pages condensed by the two blank pages that preface each chapter.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have 'stumbled' across Diana Athill in a Guardian interview the day before the Costa biography prize was announced. This interview made me root for Diana to win, even though I had previously not heart of her let alone read a line she'd written. When she won, I was delighted and THEN bought the book, such is the impression this astonishing woman leaves.
"Somewhere towards the end" is written with a warmth and an obvious intelligence that is a joy to read. Diana's thoughts on Sex, Art and life matters are interesting not only with regards to her age. She radiates a confidence that is never irritating; never arrogant. This book is a fulfilling read and I would unconditionally recommend its purchase.
"Somewhere towards the end" is written with a warmth and an obvious intelligence that is a joy to read. Diana's thoughts on Sex, Art and life matters are interesting not only with regards to her age. She radiates a confidence that is never irritating; never arrogant. This book is a fulfilling read and I would unconditionally recommend its purchase.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By P. Burnard
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is a measure of this book's controversy that it has stirred up so many, differing, reviews. It is certainly not a self-help book for the ageing, nor is it a standard biography. It is mercifully free of pop-psychology or suggestions that ageing somehow automatically confers wisdom (although Athill clearly has this in abundance).
I did not experience the 'coldness' that some other readers felt. Diana Athill lives a different life to the norm, breaks many conventions and clearly enjoys doing this. The book, itself, breaks many conventions. The style is sometimes uneven, moving from the chatty to the profound. The book does have quite a number of typos in it and - ironically - could have been better edited. Despite these issues, I found it a wonderful read.
I was saddened by some of the reviews here that somehow seem to imply that older people should not write about or particularly enjoy sex. I also feel that this forum is no place to air old, personal, grievances about the author.
I was left cheered by someone with a sharp intellect who has an ability to review her own life openly and honestly. I was left with the feeling I rarely get from reading a book, that this is someone I would love to meet and chat to. Athill is both pragmatic and enthusiastic, with a continuing curiosity about the world and about people. A refreshing book for those of us who are no longer particuarly young.
I did not experience the 'coldness' that some other readers felt. Diana Athill lives a different life to the norm, breaks many conventions and clearly enjoys doing this. The book, itself, breaks many conventions. The style is sometimes uneven, moving from the chatty to the profound. The book does have quite a number of typos in it and - ironically - could have been better edited. Despite these issues, I found it a wonderful read.
I was saddened by some of the reviews here that somehow seem to imply that older people should not write about or particularly enjoy sex. I also feel that this forum is no place to air old, personal, grievances about the author.
I was left cheered by someone with a sharp intellect who has an ability to review her own life openly and honestly. I was left with the feeling I rarely get from reading a book, that this is someone I would love to meet and chat to. Athill is both pragmatic and enthusiastic, with a continuing curiosity about the world and about people. A refreshing book for those of us who are no longer particuarly young.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Readable but rather over-rated
I was a little disappointed having read the five star reviews. Some perceptive points are made but the genteel 'I was never able to cope with money' tone combined with descriptions... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Vongolo
5.0 out of 5 stars
A really good read.
Such fun!! And chaps seem to enjoy it too, which surprised me. And it's delightful to know that Diana is still going strong at 96.
Published 1 month ago by Margaret Philip
1.0 out of 5 stars
The past revisited.
I found it rather dull and only read bits in order to assess style of a very different type of author.
Published 2 months ago by Flower
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
I watched a tv program a while back about Diana Athill & it was so interesting I just had to read this book. I'm glad I did. Will be reading more of her work. An honest author.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs Alison Howard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magisterial humanity
Small wonder this won every award going. Athill is a stupendous, utterly non-sentimental writer. Her honesty shines through on every page. Read more
Published 3 months ago by allenr
4.0 out of 5 stars
A feisty old lady of letters
This award-winning autobiography came my way from a ladyfriend. But for her I might have missed a great literary treat. Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Gee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
I personally love Diana Athill's writings she is a great inspiration for living life to the full a real star
Published 3 months ago by J. R. Miles
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great insight into optimistic old age
An honest account of how this author feels about the final chapter of her life. I think she expresses very believable emotions of someone who has lived a very full life. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Anni of MK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Happiness and No Regrets
And she has no regrets because she sees no point in them. Huzzah for Diana Athill and for this insightful, seemingly simple - but breathtakingly honest and carefully phrased -... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joshua Lacey Roberts
4.0 out of 5 stars
Insight into the older generation
A witty and interesting story of her life. She has a philosophical view of life at the end of the scale.
Published 5 months ago by Dilly
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