Goodbye Twentieth Century (32)

by Dannie Abse

Drawing upon his Welsh and Jewish heritage, Dannie Abse presents a rich autobiography that chronicles his life as both a doctor and an author. Humorous and poignant, this new edition not only includes the acclaimed first volume A Poet in the Family, but also discusses the changes in the political and literary landscape over the last century. With a chapter featuring brand new material by the author, this must-read autobiography will entertain those interested in history, politics, and literature.

Genres: Autobiography, Biography Memoir

450 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Daniel Abse CBE FRSL (1923–2014) was a Welsh poet, author, doctor and playwright. He wrote and edited more than sixteen books of poetry, as well as fiction and a range of other publications. His poetry won him many awards. As a medic, he worked in a chest clinic for over 30 years.

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dannie_...

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Here I pleasantly wasted time as Time wastes us."

Sometimes you come across a text that grasps you and doesn't let you go. It completely immerses you into another person's experience, all the more special because this person actually lived a life. A life that is inherently different than yours, and yet you've had the privelege of living it through that person's words on a page. The entire time, I imagined myself sitting in an armchair, sipping comfort-inducing tea, as Mr. Abse told me his life story. I am thankful to have had the pleasure to listen to it.

He writes:

"Since the description of an event, material or spiritual, in the autobiographer's life cannot be the event itself, only a deception, writing autobiography is a hazardous occupation for the autobiographer: it deletes the real experience which becomes forgotten and substitutes it with memorable artifice. In one sense it is a small suicide."

Yet, Mr. Abse, even if you deny the tangibility of relaying your life experience to your reader, you managed to embrace your words so innately with your personality. You showed me your imperfections, your fallability. But, you shared with me your triumphs, and I cheered for you. Finally, you shared with me your pain, and I cried for you.

Thank you Mr. Abse, for taking the time to put your pen to paper. I had a blast having Time wasted by your words.

[Jude Brigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable