One Hundred Summers

by Vanessa Branson

Taking the reader on a journey from the dying embers of Edwardian England, through the trauma of two world wars, the hedonism of London in the 1980s and 'Cool Britannia' in the 1990s right up to the present day, One Hundred Summers is a portrait of a century as it was experienced by one extraordinary family.

Along the way, Vanessa Branson recalls the rough and tumble of her chaotic but happy post-war childhood; growing up alongside her older brother Richard, who was entrepreneurial even as a teenager, she would have a front-row seat at the birth of Virgin, one of the most remarkable success stories in British business. She goes on to share her many adventures in a fascinating life, from opening an art gallery on London's Portobello Road and founding an arts festival in Morocco, to turning an ancient palace into a world-famous hotel and finding a real-life Neverland in the Scottish island of Eilean Shona, where J. M. Barrie once wrote a screenplay for Peter Pan .

Touching, humane and at times heartbreakingly honest, Branson's family memoir is a vivid and charming tapestry of English eccentricity, fortune, fate and passion.

Genres: Audiobook, Memoir, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Published May 19, 2020

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shifts between fascinating and excruciatingly entitled throughout. Some interesting family history though, especially her fathers story and the heady 80’s/90’s London whirlwind. I loved hearing how the Marrakech biennale came together too.

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It did take a while to realise Vanessa's brother Richard is Richard Branson though!

[Adelyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down.

An interesting-enough biography, I liked the format that Branson took with tracing her family back to span the last century rather than just focus on the here and now - so included elements of her research into her own family as well as a biography of her life growing up and her career. It's not the easiest to follow though, as a result, there are many branches of the family and the presentation isn't always systematic. It is broadly chronological, but split into parts spanning specific time periods, but within them the information does get a bit jumbled.

I listened to the audiobook that Branson narrates herself, a touch that I always like, as the emotion of the writer does come through as it did here. It is obvious that she's no professional though, the reading speed wasn't always consistent and I found that a bit distracting. Also a bit overly long and I got bored towards the end, though granted it spans a long time period so maybe that is justified.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable family history and memoir. The earlier part of the book was more interesting to me. The book is very well written.

[Lauren Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I read it in one sitting and found it such a tonic for these times. The family story, charting 100 years, is riveting and charming and honest. It was an absolute pleasure to read and did not shy away from difficult times , all told with such grace and optimism. The funny family vignettes, the toll of the war, the response to political divisions - it all showed an incredible strength of character and how our lives are made rich by those that come before us. It is a blueprint of how to turn any adversity into an adventure and how to seize the moment. Inspiring stuff.

[Kaytee · Rating 1 out of 5]

There might be interest in this book, but since it begins with descriptions of cancerous old age and killing animals I barely got past the first few paragraphs.
I do not condone killing animals and I do not want to read about decaying elder bodies.
Nor do I want to read history from the position of the entitled and privileged middle classes urgh. The style was boastful from the opening words ‘I sat with my friend viewing the sunset over the Sri Lankan landscape..’ ‘Back on my farm in Suffolk’
Repulsive on every level.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of several generations in a family. Like a memorabilia of several people knotted together.
It has some funny stories and some tragic ones, many children and a failed marriage, building a hotel in Morocco and a lot of art. Whilst it was interesting to read and get a glimpse into someone else's life, it is also a bit odd to read a whole book about it.

[Hope H.]

Review Snippet:

Set in the season of Summer, this memoir spans seven generations.

A glimpse into the makings of one family's tree. Where their who's who, combined with their unique what's what becomes a shareable story today.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I expected. The early family history and childhood section was appealing, but it devolved into shameless name dropping with a side of boasting about union busting - I struggled to see any value in the last section.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

After listening to this as an audiobook read by Vanessa herself, I’ve added her to the list of people I’d love to have dinner with. Not my usual a read, but glad I picked it!

[Dana P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book to read; laughter, sadness, anger, and happiness. Love the story of the Virgin Atlantic first flight call to tower to land in NY.

[angel sudberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanessa is a talented writer. I just did not want to read a memoir about her. I thought it would be more about her famous brother. But really only 2 pages at the most about Richard.

[Vicki Klemm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good listen. Written and read by Vanessa Branson, the author and sister of Richard Branson. It tell 100 years of their family history. Well written and honest.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a memoir, I thought this to be an incredibly interesting, engaging and artfully constructed narrative that is very brave in its telling. I didn’t know anything at all about the author before embarking on the read, but her story drew me in and held my attention from beginning to end. I thought it a marvellous triumph of a book.