A review of “Somewhere Towards the End: a memoir” in 100 words by Catherine Stover
When Diana Athill says she has no regrets at age 89, I tend to believe her, though it is, of course, an audacious thing to say. She says that she has more common sense than imagination, and regrets are useless. She is well aware of her “lacks and laziness, omissions, oversights” but would rather focus on maintaining a positive outlook and an active mind. Don’t think that this memoir is about dying. It’s invigorating, candid, and fearless. For me, it’s as aspirational as any book about living can be. It offers a lesson in how to be honest with yourself.
Work cited:
Athill, Diana. Somewhere Towards the End: a memoir. W.W. Norton, first American edition, 2009, p. 161.