Final Edition

by E.F. Benson

This memoir spans the whole life of E.F. Benson (1867-1940), describing his family and London snobs, literary sybils and the Lotus Eaters of Capri - where he shared a house with John Ellingham Brooks and Somerset Maugham and where his neighbours included Norman Douglas, Compton Mackenzie, Axel Munthe and Maxim Gorki. He evokes the little world of Rye, immortalized in "Mapp and Lucia", where he gloried in the splendid robes of Lord Mayor, happy to end as "a big fish in a small pond". "Final Edition" is Benson's own final tribute to those he loved, completed ten days before his death. E.F. Benson, one of six children of the Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote biography, essays, memoirs and fiction, including such novels as "Paying Guests" and the "Mapp and Lucia" series. A previous memoir, "As We Were" is also published by Hogarth.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1973

About the author

Edward Frederic "E. F." Benson was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer.

E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.

Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.

Last paragraph from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much Grier for this. It's such a lovely book that I measured it out. More personal than As We Were, you get a bit more insight into his personal philosophy (I enjoyed his musings on biography writing, particularly CB, and also his thoughts about and acceptance of growing older and the limitations it brings) And of course it's jam packed full of witty anecdotes and also stories about his astounding family. He writes so beautifully and honestly and even this is examined. Its poignant that this was delivered to the publisher just 10 days before he died. The perfect wrap up.

[Grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this six stars if I could. This is more personal than As We Were and just a lovely book. I really want to visit Rye.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benson's autobiography will be of interest to his fans as well as those interested in Victorian and Edwardian times. He came from a remarkable family of eccentrics -- his father was the Archbishop of Canterbury -- all highly intelligent and voracious readers and writers. What stands out in this book, which he turned over to his publisher ten days before his death, is his strong attachment to family and friends and devotion to his work.

[Natalie Bayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisitely written, humorous and entertaining insight into the world and frankly peculiar family that shaped this most marvellous writer. Fascinating to discover the real life elements he wove into his novels, and a unique perspective of society life in the early 20th century. I enjoyed this a great deal

[Karl Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frequently fascinating account of Benson's age, but one shouldn't be surprised by how little Benson actually talks about himself. Anti-autobiography at its finest!