A Life in the Day

by Hunter Davies

'Ken Loach might have turned all this into a powerful social film, but the avuncular Davies sprinkles in so many cheery anecdotes that the book bounces along enjoyably' (Sunday Times) - Praise for VOLUME 1: THE CO-OP'S GOT BANANAS! Hunter Davies’ childhood lived amongst the post-war dirt and grime of Carlisle was immediately hailed as a classic memoir from one of Britain’s foremost columnists of the past half century. The Co-op’s Got Bananas! left our protagonist at the cusp of working for one of the world’s greatest newspapers – The Sunday Times. In this much-anticipated sequel, Hunter now looks back across five decades of successful writing to reflect on his colourful memories of the living in London during the height of the Swinging Sixties, becoming editor of Britain’s first colour weekend supplement The Sunday Times magazine; where he befriended the Beatles; and reporting on (and partying with) some of the biggest names in television, film and theatre of the day. As time moved on into the 1970s, '80s and '90s, Hunter encountered the likes of Sir Michael Caine, George Best, Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, Sir Sean Connery, Cilla Black, Paul Gascoigne, and Wayne Rooney to name a few. Hunter brings the story full circle to reflect on his years spent with the love of his life – the bestselling writer Margaret Forster, who sadly passed away in February 2016. This will not only be a colourful and enjoyable memoir of what it was like to be at the epicentre of Britain’s artistic heart, but also an emotional, heart-felt tribute to family, friends and colleagues. For those captivated by The Co-op’s Got Bananas!,this sequel is a must read.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2017

About the author

Edward Hunter Davies OBE is an author, journalist and broadcaster, and a former editor for the Sunday Times of London. He is the author of numerous books, including The Glory Game and the only authorised biography of the Beatles. He was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, to Scottish parents. For four years his family lived in Dumfries until Davies was aged 11.

His family moved to Carlisle in northern England when Davies was 11 and he attended the Creighton School in the city. Davies lived in Carlisle until he moved to study at university. During this time his father, who was a former Royal Air Force pay clerk, developed multiple sclerosis and had to retire on medical grounds from a civil service career.

Davies joined the sixth form at Carlisle Grammar School and was awarded a place at University College, Durham to read for an honours degree in History, but after his first year he switched to a general arts course. He gained his first writing experience as a student, contributing to the university newspaper, Palatinate, where one of his fellow student journalists was the future fashion writer Colin McDowell. After completing his degree course he stayed on at Durham for another year to gain a teaching diploma and avoid National Service.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tribute to Margaret Forster

'A Life in the Day' is the second part of Hunter Davies' autobiography, and the follow up to 'The Co-op's Got Bananas: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Post-War North', which I have yet to read.

I bought ‘A Life in the Day' on a whim when it came up as an Audible deal of the day. The only other book I have read by Hunter Davies is 'The Glory Game', a brilliant study of a season embedded with Tottenham Hotspur FC in the early 1970s.

'A Life in the Day' picks up Hunter's life in the early 1960s and describes his marriage, his family and his professional life. The primary narrative is about his marriage to Margaret Forster and his enduring love for her. It's hard to conceive of a more idyllic partnership. Sadly her recurrent bouts of cancer finally killed her in February 2016, and the final few chapters of this book are about her last months. It's extremely moving and a wonderful tribute.

I was hoping for a bit more on his time with the Beatles and the 1960s more generally. Hunter touches on these areas but as he has written so many books, and newspaper columns, and done many other interesting things, he doesn't dwell on anything for long. The only subject that gets extensively covered is his life with Margaret.

4/5

[Agnes Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why did I not love this book? I have enjoyed Russell Davies’ writing over the years but this I found to be a bit mundane. Also I relished everything I have read by his wife Margaret Forster but this is where the disappointment lay. He clearly loved her deeply and they were together for a long time but I didn’t much like the character he portrayed. She came over as rather unsociable , cold and unfriendly. Also both of them seemed to uncomfortable with the financial gains they had made over the years rather than enjoy them.

[Ben Twoonezero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter as been one of my favourite writers for over 40 years, his books always have warmth depth and humour. In this book he follows his career in London, his family and sad death of his wife. The details about his wife's struggles against cancer, are hard and emotional to read. He is in his 80s now but still writing and learning to cook !! I look forward to future works, and hopefully there will be many.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Hunter Davies via his occasional column in the Money section of The Sunday Times. He has an easy style and a "voice" that sounds genuine and unforced, and I've enjoyed the books he's written that I've read. I can add this one to the list, an account of his life to date from the 1960's onward. On many measures, he's led an interesting and almost charmed life although I feel he may argue differently on the latter. And, if he's referring to his last few years, I'd agree that "charmed" isn't the right word. In this book, be warned, the final chapters documenting the demise of his wife to cancer are as grim as anything I've read about old age and illness. It's quite harrowing, especially when you think of how deep the bond between this couple has been. Hunter doesn't flinch from recounting those days as he found them, but you can sense the pain and distress lurking between the lines. For me, it made the book a deeper and more personal account than it might otherwise have been, and is a strong testament to living both a life and marriage through better and worse.

[Ginni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleased to find this at the library, as I greatly enjoyed the first part of his autobiography ‘The Co-OP’s got bananas.’ This volume covers from 1960, when Hunter Davies married Margaret Forster, to 2016; in 1960, they moved down to London, renting in Hampstead and then being able to buy a house close by. Much of their story is about their lives as writers, their family life, and their happy life together. For many years they spent six winter months in London, six months in their house in the Lakes, with an annual holiday in January in the West Indies. However, there is always the shadow of Margaret’s cancer in the background, and eventually the book becomes incredibly sad as she becomes terminally ill.
Very well written in Hunter Davies’ unmistakable style, this is easily read; a fascinating account of how two writers live and work, physically in the same house, but actually very privately and secretly, respecting each other’s space and routines.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Hunter and Margaret made me laugh and there was plenty of self recognition along the way.
In 2007 I took my mother on a little outing to Loweswater, Cumnock and Buttermere, just a little drive from my Father's care home. Who did we pass but the lovely Hunter cutting his grass. What a thrill. Now 11 years later he has been kind enough to share another bit of his life with Margaret. Thank you.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

\\\\\Like many autobiographies, this evokes a time and place, though it would have been good to have even more of his experiences in the mid to late sixties, but that is a personal preference. The book shows a time gone by which will nver be repeated and some notes of melancholy for that comes through. This was very much a worthwhile read and I hope to continue reading his weekly New Statesman column, even if footballers' haircuts feature a little too often.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? As a long-time avid reader of Davies' late wife, Margaret Forster, I looked forward to reading this instalment of his/their life and bereavement. So many of their life events have paralleled mine that I feel we've been on much the same journey from very humble beginnings via education to our adult lives. I will be referring back to this book for a long time yet.

[Seaside Sparkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like a good autobiography and this by Hunter Davies is superb. It reads so easily and effortlessly and is totally engaging. His love for life and his work shines through and at the centre of everything is his devotion to his wife, the novelist Margaret Forster. There’s so much social history in this book and lovely snippets of ‘celebrity’. An excellent read.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

When people review books and say made them laugh out loud and cry at sane time I’m sceptical.
But this book really did!!
(Sorry Hunter lazy exclamation marks)
I am a fan of Hunter Davies having read Sunday Times column for many years abd seeing him speak at British library.
Even with that this book exceeded my expectations.

[Kimilo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy and interesting read, obviously Hunter Davies has lived quite a life. I would have liked to see some introspection instead of just going through all the things they did, happened. It’s hard to find some reflective tones in this book, which I would hope for in a book like this from a writer like this.

[Liz Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected

I had expected more stuff about the 60s, but this is mostly about Hunters relationship with Margaret and about the sad ending of her life. Very idiomatic, almost as if he were talking.

[Jeremy Jl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was aware of, but had not read any Hunter Davies, and this volume of his autobiography was as good a place to start as any - as an intriguing story of the well-known journalist from humble beginnings.

[Philip Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good autobiography - which is to be expected from one of Britain's leading biographers.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Margaret Forster fan, then this is a 'must read'. Incredibly moving.

[Ray Portman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A well written tale of two fascinating characters and the good fortune life brought them. Worth reading.buy it he needs the money.

[Sean Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much as though I enjoy Hunter Davies who is a prolific and good writer. This was not one of the best. An interesting life and time. Still give it 4stars.

[Sandra Tice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read

[Liz Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Funny in places, very moving in others - but it read more like a series of columns than a cohesive book.

[Simon Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching memories

[Julie Gs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book, well written but a sad end

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second volume of his autobiography covers the period from 1960 to 2016 when his wife, the writer Margaret Forster, died.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-hearted romp through Davies' life with plenty of name-dropping. This is the second part of his autobiography, dealing with most of his working life and many books written. He certainly seems to have had a comfortable life! The latter part deals with the tragic loss of his wife, which is poignant and heart rending, and he deals with it in a positive and down-to-earth manner.

[Sal · Rating 4 out of 5]

reeally nice one! loved it