Make Believe

Make Believe follows several generations of a family in England, beginning in the 1920s and continuing through World War II. Their story centers on secrets, family dynamics, and choices that echo through decades. Diana Athill writes from multiple perspectives as she traces how pivotal decisions and unspoken truths shape relationships between parents, children, and siblings. The narrative moves between time periods to reveal the full scope of consequences that stem from key moments. Through the lens of one extended family's experiences during a transformative period in British history, the book examines how people construct their own versions of reality. At its core, it explores the stories we tell ourselves and others, and how the line between truth and fiction can blur within families.

Readers found this memoir honest and insightful in describing Athill's relationship with Egyptian writer Waguih Ghali, who committed suicide in her apartment. Many noted the book's unflinching examination of friendship, mental illness, and guilt. Readers appreciated: - The spare, precise writing style - The complex portrayal of both characters - The exploration of multicultural London in the 1960s - Her handling of difficult emotional subject matter Common criticisms: - Some sections felt detached or clinical - The narrative occasionally wandered - Not enough context about Ghali's work - Too brief at 106 pages Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (245 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) "A masterclass in restraint and honesty" - Goodreads reviewer "The emotional impact sneaks up on you" - Amazon review "Could have delved deeper into their relationship dynamics" - LibraryThing reader

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🔖 Diana Athill wrote this memoir at age 93, reflecting on her experiences with faith and belief throughout her life 📚 The book explores how Athill moved from being a devoted Christian in her youth to becoming an atheist in her later years ✍️ As a renowned editor at André Deutsch publishing house, Athill worked with literary giants like V.S. Naipaul and Jean Rhys before becoming an acclaimed memoirist herself 🏆 Though "Make Believe" is one of her shorter works, Athill won the Costa Book Award for her memoir "Somewhere Towards the End" at age 91 💫 The author continued writing and publishing well into her 90s, with her final book released at age 98, before passing away in 2019 at the age of 101