Customer Reviews
A circular book - By: Secret Spi, 04 Nov 2008 
Gwen Raverat's memories of a childhood & adolescence in Cambridge at the turn of the last century is written by theme, rather than chronologicallly. So, we are delighted & entertained by chapters covering everything from "Propriety" to "Ghosts & Horrors".
Along with recounting episodes & incidents from the time, Gwen Raverat then peppers these with her own insight & commentary into the situation, which is by turns highly amusing & deeply poignant.
Together with the line illustrations, we are presented with a picture of time & place that we can almost experience for ourselves. This is a masterpiece.
If only there were 10 stars to give... - By: D. Maceoin, 15 Dec 2004 This remarkable memoir holds a secure place in my heart. I first read it when I was doing research in Cambridge, but have returned to it many times since. There is no other book that I know of in English quite like it. If only more people knew of it. The depth of Gwen Ravert's memory, & the ease with which she moves among her individual memories. Everything about the world she inhabits is made delightful, especiallly the family of Charles Darwin. It seems to have been an idyllic age. For the middle classes at least, childhood in late Victorian England seems to have been enviable Ñ especiallly when we think of modern children, their loss of innocence, & the dangers they are exposed to. Raverat brings to life a lost world through wit & intelligence, with animated & sometimes preposterous characters. This is better than Dickens, Michel Faber, Jerome K Jerome, & alll the rest. it has a real claim to be the most amiable, amusing, & perceptive memoir in the English language. Buy it, read it, & keep it with you for the rest of your life.
Witty & droll - By: , 16 Dec 2003 This is one of the funniest, best written books I have ever read. Every time I re-read it I admire her prose - which is very witty & dry - more & more. The line drawings & captions are extremely amusing.
Excellent memoir - By: , 13 Oct 2003 I had doubts about how interesting this memoir would be at first glance, I need not have. It was extremely well written, witty, informative & engaging. The author does not shy from looking back with objectivity & a little self depreciation! Recommended to anyone.
The best memoir I have ever read. - By: , 23 Dec 2000 If I ever had to choose a single book to take to a desert island, this might very well be it. I have read it many times, & it never fails to delight & amuse me. Such characters, such accurate memories, such pen-portraits of a way of life that has gone for ever. I think this may very be the finest memoir written in English. My only regret is that Mrs Raverat never went on to write her adult memoirs.
