Frances Partridge

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Over the last twenty years or so this delightful writer has published seven volumes drawn from diaries kept over a long life spent as an insider in the extended Bloomsbury circle of writers, thinkers and artists.

Each book is illustrated with lively and informal photographs of the author’s friends and acquaintances, as they enjoy what sometimes seems to be a permanent picnic in the sun.  But Mrs Partridge is too wise to allow such appearances dictate her tone: life is always a mixed blessing, and not the least valuable aspect of these books is their sensitive and intelligent treatment of the sorrows that must come as the years go by.  That all seven volumes should currently be available is something of a wonder: it might be sensible to invest at once!

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