A heartfelt goodbye from a meticulous, reflective observer of life.
By Jonathan Raban ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 19, 2023
Raban, a renowned travel writer and playwright, reflects on his own life-altering medical event, which he attributes to his own reckless habits. He muses on the similar fates of his friends, and his thoughts turn to his daughter and his father, whom he only met when he was three due to the war. To gain a better understanding of his father’s wartime service, Raban delves into diaries, photo albums, and memories. He discovers that his father was evacuated at Dunkirk and went on to serve in North Africa, Italy, and Palestine, where he developed a dislike for shopping. This reflection on his father’s experiences helped Raban to occupy his mind during his recovery. He even received a gift of half a case of pinot noir from his friend Paul Theroux, which he had to hide in his closet. As Raban regained his health, he was able to gain a more complete understanding of his parents and the hardships of war.
Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780375422454
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023