Joyce, by herself and her friends

by Joyce Grenfell

This is a collection of prose, poetry and drawings by and about Joyce Grenfell. Compiled by Joyce's husband, this anthology includes pieces by Joyce on rainy days, children and childhood memories and pieces about Joyce from such friends and admirers as Bernard Levin, Clive James, Richard Baker, Cleo Lane and John Dankworth.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Joyce Irene Grenfell, OBE (née Phipps; 10 February 1910 – 30 November 1979) was an English actress, comedienne and singer-songwriter.

Reviews

[Karl Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joyce Grenfell seems like a figure from another age and country. So much of Britain and being British has changed in the intervening years.
From being the gymslip sporting games mistress, Miss Crawley in 'the belles of St Trinians' she crept into my awareness, and I'm glad she did. Her humour like her personality was gentle, and the boot gave a generous testament to her as an actress, writer and active Christian. Fair play.

[Melanie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains tributes to Joyce Grenfall and ultimately to her 'deep devotion to things of the spirit'. RIP

[Estara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely tribute and memory book released roughly a year after Joyce's death - some of Joyce's stories have later on appeared again in Janie Hampton's collection My Kind of Magic - but there are some texts you really won't find in other editions and of course her friends' and colleagues' memories are only in this book.

Two more John Ward letters are reproduced inside and again some pictures from her own collection, some ofwhich I haven't seen in any of the other books.

Because of its anthology nature this is a perfect book to read a bit about Joyce before turning off the lights at night.

[Kellyanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading this. It gave a great insight into a very talented woman.