Somewhere Towards the End
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £7.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Claire Bloom
-
By:
-
Diana Athill
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 LtdWhat listeners say about Somewhere Towards the End
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Createmate
- 02-04-19
The End - A refreshing listen
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.”
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- Alice
- 21-10-10
Wise and Wonderful, a rare treat before bedtime
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Private
- 16-02-22
Brilliant narration, unique insight into late years
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs P.
- 27-05-24
Too much information
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..
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
- Alison St Pierre
- 18-09-12
An interesting perspective of ageing and death.
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- E M Bradley
- 12-03-17
Beautifully read
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MB
- 11-02-19
Ultimately dull
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
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!