Stet

There was recently a BBC TV documentary about Diana Athill presented by Alan Yentob which prompted me to take this book off my shelf where it had been sitting waiting to be read. How I wish I had read it earlier! The whole thing is so readable, and the quality of writing so good, that it made me want to read more of her books instantly and I've already ordered one. The first half of the book concentrates on her life in publishing. The early years of Andre Deutsch and her part in its establishment are fascinating, and very revealing about the way even clever women were treated at the time (the 1940s and 1950s). But she recognises her own acceptance of that treatment and looks back with wry amusement rather than regret or indignation. She writes fluently and frankly about her life in and out of the office, her lovers, and her clients. In fact the second half of the book is divided into chapters on the writers for whom she was editor. This section is perhaps more interesting to bibliophiles though the stories contained in it are so fascinating I think they stand on their own anyway, regardless of the fact that they are about writers. Diana Athill comes across as a remarkable woman, the sort you would love to find yourself seated next to at a dinner party!

Anyone who has not yet read Diana Athill's scaled-down take on living, loving and dying has a treat in store. This particular book is about her professional career -- one that she stumbled into, and, as often happens with good people, it worked brilliantly for her. You get a chance to follow her career and the publishing house (André Deutsch) she worked for as they begin and end. She is a master of the best kind of gossip: she spills secrets and can show dislike but always looks for redeeming features in the gossipees. The most celebrated part of this book is the chapter on VS Naipul. Worth the admission price alone. After reading this, you will have an even greater enjoyment waiting: the author's unsurpassed look at approaching death: Somewhere Near the End. Both are among the best books I have read. Diana Athill is a biographer of huge value for her honesty, insight and humility.

This is a fly on the wall view of the world of publishing. Diana Athill joined Andre Deutsch when he was setting up this now legendary firm just after the Second World War and she remained there for fifty years. The first half of the book concentrates on the progress of the company as they move into bigger and bigger premises in central London. Diana always grabs the smallest office she can find so that she doesn't have to share with anyone! The second part focuses on her working relationships with a number of major authors including Jean Rhys and V S Naipaul which are absolutely fascinating and extremely candid. Athill is a very natural, self effacing writer. As with all her memoirs, you do come away feeling that you have made a new friend.

I bought this book to learn more about writing and publishing and because I had also bought Diana Athill's "Towards the End" (not read it yet!)which was published recently and wanted to read her earlier work first. I thought it would be rather dry and dull but I was totally wrong! It is a fascinating account of her many years with the publishing company Andre Deutsch; of personal stories of the writers that she met, many of whom needed nurturing in more ways than simply editing their work and many who became good friends. Miss Athill writes beautifully. Her prose is chatty and flows so well. This is a great read, brimming with nostalgia, humour and honesty. For more than 50 years, she enjoyed the accolade of being "one of the best editors in London": this little paper back shows why! "Stet" is a great title! Meaning "let it stand", I am sure that it will stand the test of time and remain enjoyed by many. I am now bursting to get on and read more of her work!

Stet reads like the conversation of a friend, and this shows Diana Athill's skill as a writer. Without quite realising it, I have ended up with a head full of vivid images from this book, even though it's a book about publishing - not my conception of the most vivid of industries. I wish the book was much longer, and I did find the structure a bit disjointed; otherwise I would have given it 5 stars. A real pleasure to read.