A perfect biography of one of the most celebrated and most interesting figures of the 20th century. The panoramic range of Huxley's genius is magnificently brought to life in this book. Everything is here- his historic antecedents, his famous family, his 30 yr. marriage to the beautiful Maria, the creation of his books, and not a little as well about his "psychedelic" period and his book "The Doors of Perception." Of course, Huxley is a marvelously inviting subject, intelligence and temperament combined in a man possessed of extraordinary natural gifts. The keen intellect of novelist Bradford is the key element; a rich understanding of Huxley's singular dialectic and his notably uncanny inner aesthetics makes splendid reading. The whole book is warm and true; the affection of the writer toward her subject is clear, but never interfering, never common or cloying. Bradford generously lets the reader walk and talk, travel and sup with Huxley, and her narrative skills are perfectly honed for such a daring operation; after all, it's one thing to merely write a biography of note, and quite another to transparently unsheathe someone down to pure gold. The latter would seem to be Bradford's forte in these pages; it is a miracle of literary biography and a quite extraordinary experience. Highest recommendation without reservation.

SB does a truly remarkable job of portraying Huxley as he really was; from the vantage point of a next-door neighbour who soon moved in with the Huxleys, SB slowly reveals the everyday life of a man who was regarded as a prophet in his lifetime and has now come to be acknowledged as one of the most erudite men of the last century while at the same time being a humanist to the core. The book could have crossed over to being an eulogy but manages to maintain its balance and objectivity through its length and provides us with a scholarly perspective on the man as now other book does. She has integrated the personal life and impressions of many of the people who figured in Aldous's life with the works of the man and analyzes how the various experiences of his life influenced his books. It continues to remain the definitive book on Aldous Huxley three decades after its first publication.

Syville Bedford's literary biography Aldous Huxley blends Huxley's remarkable life with his quite successful literary career, all wrapped in the familiarity of the author with Huxley's family over the decades. With such associations in hand, biographer and author Syville Bedford then deftly probes Huxley's life and writings, creating a memorable biography and a set of insights that deserves ongoing mention.

This is an intelligent, highly engaging and fascinating novel. It mimics, both a travelogue and an autobiography. It leaves the reader itching to know how much of the story was based on the life experiences of the writer. The various relationships between the characters in the novel are quite unique and shocking yet entertaining. I highly recommend this novel

Pleasures And Landscapes: A Traveller's Tales From Europe engagingly recounts the experiences and observations of Sybille Bedford. The format is that of a one woman travelogue as Bedford traveled through France, Italy, Portugal, Yugoslavia, and other European countries and wrote travel articles for Vogue, Esquire and other magazines. Vivid, chatty, with an insightful eye for the human condition that transcends borders and nationalities, Pleasures And Landscapes is an immersive and memorable continental tour which is especially recommended for dedicated armchair travelers!

I found this book, clearly old and musty-smelling in my library. Not one to judge a book merely by it's cover, I picked it up, and was thrust into the lives of three women: Anna (a American women who marries an Italian prince), Constanza (their offspring), and Flavia (Constanza's daughter). Since the book was written in the 50's, I had trouble understanding some parts of it. (Hey! I'm an '80s child!) The book also all took place before the end of 1929. However, despite a few areas where I was confused, I found the book to be descriptive, sometimes a bit much in some areas (leading off into tangents that made no sense), but for the most part the details added to the reader's enjoyment in taking in the "Old World" of Italy, France, and England. The relationships between mothers and daughters are explored in great detail, and so are their often odd relationships with men. We can actually see a little of each woman in her mother. The ending was a bit unsatisfying, but overall, not a bad read.

Do you love books about ex-pats making thier lives in Europe? Love the genre...LOVED the book. Good use of any readers time.

The relationships of mothers and daughters in Bedford's novels are among the funniest and most complex than one can find in fiction. Her young characters are always uncanny mature, witty, independent but nevertheless unexpectedly vulnerable. Mothers, on the other hand, are difficult, lovable and unpredictable. Conflict is usually civilized, deep, and productive. Bedford is also very fond of Mediterranean settings, small towns in the cost of France or Italy, before they were spoiled by tourism. The description of the European life before WW2 is one of the many pleasures of this great book.

I had read about Sybille Bedford and her writings.I know that of late there has been a revival of interest in her work. I was prepared to like this book. But I was disappointed. I will assume the problem is with me, not the book. That said, while some aspects of the place and time are well-sketched, I do not think any of the characters was well-developed. We see Jules, Clara, Sarah etc. in a number of different settings/situations over a period of several years but I did not feel that I came to know them nor did they interest me greatly. I should add that the significance of some of the main plot points completely eluded me. Without spoiling the book for those who haven't read it, I will just cite as an example a letter that is not delivered to its intended recipient. I could tell that this was intended to be one of the cruxes of the plot. However, why the character entrusted with the letter didn't deliver it and what would have happened had he done so--points I am sure the author wanted to be apparent to the reader--I could not fathom. The place and time--Germany before World War One--are of great interest to me. The situation of the Jews in the Germany of that time--a family of wealthy, totally assimilated Jews is depicted in some detail in the book--also interests me. But the novel failed to involve me emotionally--it left me cold. Nevertheless, I admire the author--she is intelligent and her prose is elegant.

The story takes place in the waning days of the Kaiser's rule, pre-WWI, in a society that seems to be desperately trying to avoid the instability in central Europe that finally led to the First World War. Two German families linked by an ill-fated marriage live a life that seems unimaginable to us in modern times. One Jewish, one Catholic, both wealthy, insular and largely idle, the characters spend their days moving from place to place--France, Spain, Germany, collecting art and antiques, taking air during daily carriage rides, eating what seem to be endless meals, and expecting the world to go on as it has forever. A relatively minor event--the decison to send a child to a military prep school, results in personal tragedy but also national crisis--which could only have happened in a society about to fall apart. I found this book a compelling look at a world and a society I know little about--and Bedford's prose is wonderful.

Trough the life and times of two German families at the beginning of the last century, Sybille Bedford recreates an European world lost to globalization. It was a world where each country, -each region in fact- had a particular way of seeing life, and an authentic life style. Bedford's elegant and personal prose is really original, but this book shares the spirit of Margerite Yourcenar's memories of her own ancestors. Such a beautiful and clever book!

You have to read Favourite of the Gods first. Favourite is much better but you will have to read this one too to further explore this complex and courageous mother and daughter pair.