For nearly 50 years, Diana Athill edited (and nursed and coerced and coaxed) some of the most celebrated writers in the English language. In a prose style of inimitable wit and rare candour, she recounts tales from a long life in publishing, including her reflections on editing writers such as V. S. Naipaul, Jean Rhys, Gitta Sereny and Brian Moore. She also provides an account of her own writing career, which includes the two critically acclaimed works, Instead of a Letter and After a Funeral.
Stet
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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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Diana Athill has had a most interesting and varied life, and the title she has chosen for her autobiography is proofreaders' jargon for "Let it stand". In other words: no regrets. It's a fine title. As a grand old lady of British publishing, Athill can look back on 50 years of work with the great Andre Deutsch, and many close-working relationships with writers such as VS Naipaul, Jean Rhys and Brian Moore. One of the distinguishing features of Athill's book is its honesty, both with her colleagues and with herself. (She has already been scolded by another reviewer for revealing that she had an affair with Andre Deutsch, and once kissed one of her authors). Her portrait of Brian Moore is not always very flattering, and as for Naipaul, it is with a sigh of relief that she admits that they are no longer friends, and she is free to admire him simply as a writer, if not as a man. And there is a whole chapter devoted to a forgotten and tragic character called Alfred Chester, whom Athill edited for a while. He ended up in Israel living virtually as a hermit, until he died of heart failure brought on by drink and drugs. It was all "horribly sad". The final sense, however, is one of tremendous energy and enthusiasm for all things bookish, and one can relish the grand, throwaway manner. Of her early girlhood, she recalls simply, "Reading was what one did indoors, as riding was what one did out of doors".--Christopher Hart
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
DIANA ATHILL was born in 1917. She helped Andre Deutsch establish the publishing company that bore his name and worked as an editor for Deutsch for four decades. Athill's distinguished career as an editor is the subject of her acclaimed memoir Stet, which is also published by Granta Books, as are five volumes of memoirs, Instead of a Letter, After a Funeral, Yesterday Morning, Make Believe, Somewhere Towards the End and a novel, Don't Look at Me Like That. In January 2009, she won the Costa Biography Award for Somewhere Towards the End, and was presented with an OBE. She lives in London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book to learn more about writing and publishing and because I had also bought Diana Athill's "Towards the End" (not read it yet!)which was published recently and wanted to read her earlier work first.
I thought it would be rather dry and dull but I was totally wrong! It is a fascinating account of her many years with the publishing company Andre Deutsch; of personal stories of the writers that she met, many of whom needed nurturing in more ways than simply editing their work and many who became good friends. Miss Athill writes beautifully. Her prose is chatty and flows so well. This is a great read, brimming with nostalgia, humour and honesty. For more than 50 years, she enjoyed the accolade of being "one of the best editors in London": this little paper back shows why! "Stet" is a great title! Meaning "let it stand", I am sure that it will stand the test of time and remain enjoyed by many. I am now bursting to get on and read more of her work!
I thought it would be rather dry and dull but I was totally wrong! It is a fascinating account of her many years with the publishing company Andre Deutsch; of personal stories of the writers that she met, many of whom needed nurturing in more ways than simply editing their work and many who became good friends. Miss Athill writes beautifully. Her prose is chatty and flows so well. This is a great read, brimming with nostalgia, humour and honesty. For more than 50 years, she enjoyed the accolade of being "one of the best editors in London": this little paper back shows why! "Stet" is a great title! Meaning "let it stand", I am sure that it will stand the test of time and remain enjoyed by many. I am now bursting to get on and read more of her work!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anyone who has not yet read Diana Athill's scaled-down take on living, loving and dying has a treat in store. This particular book is about her professional career -- one that she stumbled into, and, as often happens with good people, it worked brilliantly for her. You get a chance to follow her career and the publishing house (André Deutsch) she worked for as they begin and end. She is a master of the best kind of gossip: she spills secrets and can show dislike but always looks for redeeming features in the gossipees. The most celebrated part of this book is the chapter on VS Naipul. Worth the admission price alone. After reading this, you will have an even greater enjoyment waiting: the author's unsurpassed look at approaching death: Somewhere Near the End. Both are among the best books I have read. Diana Athill is a biographer of huge value for her honesty, insight and humility.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By bowsider
Format:Paperback
Stet reads like the conversation of a friend, and this shows Diana Athill's skill as a writer. Without quite realising it, I have ended up with a head full of vivid images from this book, even though it's a book about publishing - not my conception of the most vivid of industries. I wish the book was much longer, and I did find the structure a bit disjointed; otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. A real pleasure to read.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fly on the wall view of the world of publishing. Diana Athill joined Andre Deutsch when he was setting up this now legendary firm just after the Second World War and she remained there for fifty years. The first half of the book concentrates on the progress of the company as they move into bigger and bigger premises in central London. Diana always grabs the smallest office she can find so that she doesn't have to share with anyone! The second part focuses on her working relationships with a number of major authors including Jean Rhys and V S Naipaul which are absolutely fascinating and extremely candid. Athill is a very natural, self effacing writer. As with all her memoirs, you do come away feeling that you have made a new friend.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By hiljean
VINE VOICE
Format:Hardcover
There was recently a BBC TV documentary about Diana Athill presented by Alan Yentob which prompted me to take this book off my shelf where it had been sitting waiting to be read. How I wish I had read it earlier! The whole thing is so readable, and the quality of writing so good, that it made me want to read more of her books instantly and I've already ordered one.
The first half of the book concentrates on her life in publishing. The early years of Andre Deutsch and her part in its establishment are fascinating, and very revealing about the way even clever women were treated at the time (the 1940s and 1950s). But she recognises her own acceptance of that treatment and looks back with wry amusement rather than regret or indignation.
She writes fluently and frankly about her life in and out of the office, her lovers, and her clients. In fact the second half of the book is divided into chapters on the writers for whom she was editor. This section is perhaps more interesting to bibliophiles though the stories contained in it are so fascinating I think they stand on their own anyway, regardless of the fact that they are about writers.
Diana Athill comes across as a remarkable woman, the sort you would love to find yourself seated next to at a dinner party!
The first half of the book concentrates on her life in publishing. The early years of Andre Deutsch and her part in its establishment are fascinating, and very revealing about the way even clever women were treated at the time (the 1940s and 1950s). But she recognises her own acceptance of that treatment and looks back with wry amusement rather than regret or indignation.
She writes fluently and frankly about her life in and out of the office, her lovers, and her clients. In fact the second half of the book is divided into chapters on the writers for whom she was editor. This section is perhaps more interesting to bibliophiles though the stories contained in it are so fascinating I think they stand on their own anyway, regardless of the fact that they are about writers.
Diana Athill comes across as a remarkable woman, the sort you would love to find yourself seated next to at a dinner party!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Bookie
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This book was a really wonderful surprise. I bought it because it sounded as if it would give an inside view of the publishing world. It does that and so much more. It was a delight to read; amusing, candid and honest. I can only imagine that most authors would wish to have an editor as compassionate, intelligent, articulate and tactful as Ms Athill. I suspect her world of publishing is no more.
I did gain an insight into the publishing process and the respective roles of publishers and editors. This was interesting, but the real bonus was the detil about some authors. Their whims and fancies, their arrogance or otherwise. Ms Athill has a gift for writing in a way that makes her description of events seem like they took place yesterday. I've now bought two of her subsequent works and they are equally enjoyable. This book is a really lively read. Enjoy!
I did gain an insight into the publishing process and the respective roles of publishers and editors. This was interesting, but the real bonus was the detil about some authors. Their whims and fancies, their arrogance or otherwise. Ms Athill has a gift for writing in a way that makes her description of events seem like they took place yesterday. I've now bought two of her subsequent works and they are equally enjoyable. This book is a really lively read. Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect copy and delivered swiftly
This copy was described as simply in good condition but in the event turned out to be what I would consider perfect. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Diane H. Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars
Stet - what's to like
I enjoyed learning about publication business but it went on too long and I got bored by the end but it was interesting.
Published 8 months ago by K ROGERS
3.0 out of 5 stars
Charming memoir
Charming and modest memoir of helping to found a publishing house and being a top editor for nearly 50 years.
Published 8 months ago by MS DEBRA JANE HALL
3.0 out of 5 stars
In Her Own Write
This was my fourth Athill, after her Letters, Make Believe and After a Funeral. Not sure that's the right order to go about things; in theory one should start here as it's the meat... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. C. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intimate recall
This book has been on my to-read list since it was published and the wait was worth it. The remarkable Athill writes as well as the authors with whom she came into intimate contact... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Jack Foster
4.0 out of 5 stars
insight into world of publishing
really enjoyed the section dealing with her famous clients - and see now why VS Naipaul has a certain reputation...
Published 16 months ago by Felicity Jackson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Witty reminsicings of a fabulous life
This woman clearly led an incredible life and writes very well. However, at times it smacks of a cliquey, snobby world which can be a bit of a turn-off. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Amw
3.0 out of 5 stars
A book of two halves
As the author says upfront a book of two halves. The first part is surprisingly interesting and I enjoyed reading the book until it tutmred in the second half to salacious gossip... Read more
Published 18 months ago by niceynice
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
An interesting look into the world of publishing at an earlier time, found it rather dry for someone who knows little of the business.
Published 18 months ago by Flora
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
I found this book really interesting. Diana Athill was an editor at Andre Deutsch and the book offers snap shots of various authors and of Ms Athill's life. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jo Brookes
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