Cider with Rosie (The Autobiographical Trilogy #1) [L0066]

2014 - PB reprint of the 1959 original with a new introduction by Cerys Mattews, in nice clean condition. Cider With Rosie is a wonderfully vivid memoir. At all times evocative and poignant, it is the charming story of the author's childhood in a remote Cotswold village, a world that is tangibly real and yet reminiscent of a now distant past. In this idyllic pastoral setting, unencumbered by the callous father who so quickly abandoned his family responsibilities, Laurie's adoring mother becomes the centre of his world as she struggles to raise a growing family against the backdrop of the Great War. The sophisticated adult author's retrospective commentary on events is endearingly juxtaposed with that of the innocent, spotty youth, permanently prone to tears and self-absorption.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "The fact that this is a memoir which reads like fiction drew a comparison with Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals. What a terrific writer Lee was! His sumptuous imagery and poetic prose are delightful."; "Though he doesn't overemphasize the fact, Lee is writing about a beautiful, strange historical period, in a little known village in England where the way of life is about to disappear. At some point he seems to have sensed that everything which made that time and place beautiful and unique would not last forever, that the events and characters of his childhood existed at the end of a very special time, never come again. With the same magic as Brigadoon, this tale is magical and lovely but also has a slightly sad flavor. I look forward to reading his later books, as with this one he has already joined the list of my favorite authors."; "Simply told in delightful episodes, the title is based on Laurie's early encounter with the plump and boisterous Rosie who has an endless supply of potent cider and lavish kisses for the young teenage boy - nothing shocking, just a sweet encounter. This was a quieter, gentler, more innocent time and even those of us who didn't experience that time can appreciate the story of a young country boy's coming-of-age. Highly recommended for a nostalgic trip back in time."