by London Review of Books Staff
First published 2013
This anthology gathers 29 essays originally published in The London Review of Books. Alan Bennett describes the collection as rich and delightful in his preface, comparing its varied and peculiar contributions to an adult version of children's annuals. The contributors include notable writers such as Hilary Mantel, who penned the title essay, along with Anne Enright, Julian Barnes, Edward Said, Frank Kermode, and Keith Thomas. The collection showcases the diverse voices and perspectives that have appeared in one of Britain's most respected literary publications, offering readers a sampling of contemporary essay writing across different subjects and styles.
Genres: essays, literary-criticism, literary-fiction, anthologies, biography-memoir, academic
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: diverse-perspectives, varied-contributions
Setting: Britain, London
Period: Contemporary
388 pages · Hardcover · William Heinemann