4.17/5
Author: P. D. James
Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
Formats: PDF,Hardcover,Kindle,Paperback,Audio,Cassette
Rating: 4.17/5 out of 674
Publisher: Faber
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May 27, 2019
I am glad that I waited to read this after “Original Sinâ€. Yes this book has spoilers in it. So if you haven’t read the Dalgliesh series past “A Certain Justice†wait till after that to read this Autobiography. I read “A Certain Justice†a while ago so there were no spoilers for me.Oct 31, 2017
First off, I really love this writer. I used to purchase her books as they came out, then when hardcovers got a bit pricey for me, I went soft-covers and/or borrowed from library. Her books are weighty, often long, filled with detail, and sometimes take a while to 'take off.' She was, for me, an example of a literary author who wrote mysteries. So I am, and was a fan...Mar 21, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this brief synthesis of autobiography, diary and literary criticism. The cool intellect of P D James comes over on every page. Her account of her childhood, married life and the sad descent of her husband into mental illness are illuminating. What is most impressive is the breadth and volume of her daily life in the year she describes. The contribution she made across everything she did was noteworthy and perhaps a reproach to those less public spirited. I finished the book I thoroughly enjoyed this brief synthesis of autobiography, diary and literary criticism. The cool intellect of P D James comes over on every page. Her account of her childhood, married life and the sad descent of her husband into mental illness are illuminating. What is most impressive is the breadth and volume of her daily life in the year she describes. The contribution she made across everything she did was noteworthy and perhaps a reproach to those less public spirited. I finished the book with my appreciation of her greatly enhanced. She writes beautifully and anyone wishing to find a model could do no better than to read this short book. ...moreJan 08, 2018
Delightful and InsightfulAug 10, 2017
If you are a P.D. James fan, don't miss out on this lovely autobiography. Written in diary format over the year she turned 77, it is a brilliant look at not just the author, but the amazing person. As she would talk about a book she had written, I would glance at my shelf and there it was, begging to be re-read. And so I am- some, if not all. This woman's energy is incredible. How I would have loved to hear her in person. I have long loved her books, now I love the author.Jan 13, 2017
James never disappoints. Her prose is unfailingly lucid and elegant, her insights thought-provoking.Oct 09, 2015
I seldom read autobiography but loved this; P D James had such a distinctive, elegant voice that, as a huge fan of her novels, I found it a genuine pleasure to spend time in her company. It gave interesting insight into the life of a successful author and also some thoughts on the art of writing. The essay on Jane Austen's "Emma", included as an Appendix, was an unexpected bonus.Sep 05, 2008
This reminded me a bit of May Sarton's "At Eighty-two", though P.D. James at 78 seemed much more spry than did Sarton at 82. Several of the reviews quoted on the back cover of the book mention that we learn as much about James from what she leaves out as from what she includes. The decisions she made about what to write about are thus as interesting as the actual content.Mar 15, 2009
I heard P.D. James being interviewed on NPR many years ago, and was intrigued. Not having been a "detective fiction" reader, it took me a while to pick up on of her books, but as soon as I did, I was hooked. So far, I have not been able to find murder mysteries that I like nearly as well as hers. Having read everything fictional she has written, I finally read this autobiography. If possible, I may have enjoyed it more than her fiction! She is an excellent writer, and the insights into not only I heard P.D. James being interviewed on NPR many years ago, and was intrigued. Not having been a "detective fiction" reader, it took me a while to pick up on of her books, but as soon as I did, I was hooked. So far, I have not been able to find murder mysteries that I like nearly as well as hers. Having read everything fictional she has written, I finally read this autobiography. If possible, I may have enjoyed it more than her fiction! She is an excellent writer, and the insights into not only her everyday life, but also her past that she includes in this book, are compelling and fascinating. I hope she continues to write for some time yet! ...moreAug 20, 2015
I can make a strong argument that P.D. James is the world's greatest mystery writer, but she falls short in the realm of memoirs. Time To Be In Earnest: A Fragment Of Autobiography has an innovative structure: James wrote a diary that spans from her 77th birthday to her 78th, and used her day-to-day experiences as jumping off points to, sometimes, reflect on writing, past eras of her life, the modern era, and crime. This seems like a good idea, but the daily accounts sometimes feel like dull I can make a strong argument that P.D. James is the world's greatest mystery writer, but she falls short in the realm of memoirs. Time To Be In Earnest: A Fragment Of Autobiography has an innovative structure: James wrote a diary that spans from her 77th birthday to her 78th, and used her day-to-day experiences as jumping off points to, sometimes, reflect on writing, past eras of her life, the modern era, and crime. This seems like a good idea, but the daily accounts sometimes feel like dull travelogues and James is too reserved to share much about the more personal aspects of her past. Furthermore, she interacts with a lot of people during the course of a year, but fails to really bring anyone to life on the page. That said, the book really shines when James writes about writing, her books, her thoughts on literature, writers, historic crimes, or her cat. In these passages, her dry wit and thoughtful analysis are a pleasure to read. Recommended for serious fans of James or crime fiction. ...moreAug 31, 2012
Part diary, part memoire is, I think, the perfect recipe to enable the living to satisfy the fans, to avoid baring all, and to circumvent that rather dreadful cold ‘dead, stuffed, fish’ feeling.Aug 13, 2019
I re-read this gem after twenty years and liked it even more this time. The title is a quote from the great 18th century writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson, " At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest." Phyllis James wrote it in 1997 when she turned seventy-seven. It's not a conventional diary or memoir although there is plenty of autobiographical material. It's also reflections and musings on the art and craft of writing, not limited to the detective stories and three stand-alones for I re-read this gem after twenty years and liked it even more this time. The title is a quote from the great 18th century writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson, " At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest." Phyllis James wrote it in 1997 when she turned seventy-seven. It's not a conventional diary or memoir although there is plenty of autobiographical material. It's also reflections and musings on the art and craft of writing, not limited to the detective stories and three stand-alones for which P.D. is so deservedly famous. She died in 2014 at the age of ninety-four and remained actively writing and speaking until her death I consider her one of the finest novelists of the 20th century. (For anyone not familiar with her work, I recommend reading them in order.) ...moreMar 13, 2010
I didn't know this book existed - I'm so happy to have found out about it through goodreads. I attended an author reading with PD James and Ruth Rendall in Vancouver BC as part of the Writers' Festival. I was already a fan and it was such a pleasure to hear her talk about her books. Ruth Rendall was quite funny and I wasn't too sure about her books having read a few. But after 'meeting' her at this event I decided to give her books another go and I can say I enjoy her writing more. It was I didn't know this book existed - I'm so happy to have found out about it through goodreads. I attended an author reading with PD James and Ruth Rendall in Vancouver BC as part of the Writers' Festival. I was already a fan and it was such a pleasure to hear her talk about her books. Ruth Rendall was quite funny and I wasn't too sure about her books having read a few. But after 'meeting' her at this event I decided to give her books another go and I can say I enjoy her writing more. It was interesting to hear how different both authors approached their writing. Rendall and James are contemporaries and I'm trying to remember whether they are friends or just acquaintances. She recently (March 2010) was interviewed on CBC 1 Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Company) and the interview is available to download on a podcast on their website or through itunes. I didn't hear it at the time but plan to check it out soon. I'm sure she is talking about her new book about writing mysteries. I've got to add that one to my bookshelf as well! ...moreJan 31, 2016
In 1997, P.D. James began keeping a journal for a year--between her 77th and 78th birthdays. She planned that it would be a record of her year (without betraying any confidences) plus reflections on her life: her childhood, her education, and her writing career. The result is Time to Be in Earnest. As I was reading this book, I felt like I was having tea with a beloved aunt, who was reflecting on life and sharing what I needed to know going forward. It is clear that James has no idea what the In 1997, P.D. James began keeping a journal for a year--between her 77th and 78th birthdays. She planned that it would be a record of her year (without betraying any confidences) plus reflections on her life: her childhood, her education, and her writing career. The result is Time to Be in Earnest. As I was reading this book, I felt like I was having tea with a beloved aunt, who was reflecting on life and sharing what I needed to know going forward. It is clear that James has no idea what the future holds at age 77, so knows that it is time to record some thoughts while she still can.Mar 06, 2011
Time to Be in Earnest: a fragment of autobiography is P. D. James's response to Dr. Johnson's advice that seventy-seven is "a time to be in earnest." The much celebrated and beloved writer of mystery novels has created a luminous memoir of one year of her life. During the course of that year she not only relates experiences of the current time, but travels in time to give the reader snapshots of her life. These snapshots are vivid--full of descriptive clarity and beautiful language, only to be Time to Be in Earnest: a fragment of autobiography is P. D. James's response to Dr. Johnson's advice that seventy-seven is "a time to be in earnest." The much celebrated and beloved writer of mystery novels has created a luminous memoir of one year of her life. During the course of that year she not only relates experiences of the current time, but travels in time to give the reader snapshots of her life. These snapshots are vivid--full of descriptive clarity and beautiful language, only to be expected from such an accomplished writer.Aug 10, 2017
Interesting and different autobiography because it's written as a dairy. I gives you a peek into the thought and life of P.D. James.Jan 16, 2019
most enjoyable parts: the opinions on writing crime fiction as a woman and the interspersed anecdotes of her early life and later career within the government. Paints a lot of her even though it is mainly a 2-year diary.Mar 26, 2018
A magnificent book by a wonderful person. While writing this book she was at the age of 77 still doing more than most 50-year-olds. There is so much in this book of help to aspiring writers that it should be a textbook for all writing classes in the English language.Nov 04, 2017
A year of diary entries from English mystery writer P.D. James. I enjoyed her uncombative Toryism of the 'I can't help but think more might have been lost than gained', and feel that this book has come down to us from a much more civilized time.Jan 20, 2018
P.D. James chronicles a breathtakingly busy life as one of Britain’s grand dames of literature. She weaves in reflections on her past, the art of the murder mystery and modern culture. In less artful hands, the account might turn discursive and jumbled. Not in hers.Mar 21, 2018
I enjoyed reading this "behind the scenes" peek into an author's life, what goes on that inspires the mysteries, what other authors influenced P. D. James, and what led to any of her books to be televised. I took awhile to read this, but not because of how it was written. It was because I wanted to stop and look up the other authors mentioned and read about those various books.Nov 10, 2017
Alternately fascinating and dull. Ms James uses the days in one year of her life as the basis for her biography describing episodes of her 77 th year and remembering and describing past events. The now parts— lectures given and attended, social engagements, meals sometimes in detail did not sustain my interest. Remembrances of her interesting life did.Nov 03, 2019
P.D. James is an excellent writer of mystery, not so much memoir. She wrote about her year age 77-78. I was impressed by her stamina and all of the functions she attends. However, the book is dry and she seems a bit of a cranky, judgement type. Reading about how she tours was interesting. I got very few insights from the book .Dec 06, 2016
This is an interestingly structured memoir based around her diary for a year between 1997/98 and frequently using thoughts or events to digress into detail of various key periods and episodes in her life. Her language is a real pleasure to read and, even in her late seventies, she led an extraordinarily full and varied life full of vigour and energy. She has a tendency to be opinionated at times and perhaps in the second half of the book, sometimes gets a bit carried away with her views on this This is an interestingly structured memoir based around her diary for a year between 1997/98 and frequently using thoughts or events to digress into detail of various key periods and episodes in her life. Her language is a real pleasure to read and, even in her late seventies, she led an extraordinarily full and varied life full of vigour and energy. She has a tendency to be opinionated at times and perhaps in the second half of the book, sometimes gets a bit carried away with her views on this and that. However, having spent some time with her in 1989 on a British Council tour of Italy, I have some direct experience of the warmth and generosity of her personality. It was very good to feel that again through her writing in this memoir. ...moreJun 10, 2017
The book is gracefully and lucidly written, as one would expect. She is an opinionated person and I wish there wasn't quite so much about British politics, or so much name-dropping. Her energy in the chronicled year is impressive. One could wish that she had opened up more about her tragedies and regrets, including her very difficult marriage, but she is a reserved and very stiff-upper-lip person and what she presents in this fragment of memoir is carefully edited. The parts of the book I found The book is gracefully and lucidly written, as one would expect. She is an opinionated person and I wish there wasn't quite so much about British politics, or so much name-dropping. Her energy in the chronicled year is impressive. One could wish that she had opened up more about her tragedies and regrets, including her very difficult marriage, but she is a reserved and very stiff-upper-lip person and what she presents in this fragment of memoir is carefully edited. The parts of the book I found most interesting were those in which she writes about books, poetry and what it's like to be on the best-seller reading circuit, and her memories of World War II. If you are a fan and close reader of her fiction (as I am) you won't be surprised by anything you learn about Ms. James. This is the opposite of a tell-all. ...moreTake your time and choose the perfect book.
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