Hanging On: Diaries, 1960-63 - Softcover

Frances Partridge is the oldest surviving member of the legendary Bloomsbury group. Most of its leading members she knew well – Lytton Strachey, Dora Carrington, Virginia Woolf – and 'Hanging On' contains many of her memories of them, as well as reflections on her own life. ‘You are infinitely refreshing,’ David Garnett says of her, ‘- like the advertisement of some detergent or soap that takes the film of dust and dirt away.’ It is this ability to live life to the full even in the face of adversity which makes Frances Partridge’s diaries so addictive.

“Her diary, as always, is truthful and funny. She is sad, but never boring. More please.”
MARY WARNOCK, 'Observer'

“As ever, beautifully written and observed. Neither sparing nor pitying herself, her account of coping with tragic bereavement is heartening as well as heart-rending. There is also a great deal of humour.”
JONATHAN CECIL, 'Spectator'

“Few people have the ability or strength of character to record [their efforts to cope with bereavement] at the time, and that is what makes her diary unique.”
MICHAEL DE-LA-NOY, 'Literary Review'

“Deeply interesting and moving ... skilfully composed and affectionately reminiscent ... neither morbid nor unduly sentimental.”
PETER QUENNELL, 'Country Life'

“Few writers have so unsparingly examined the black hellishness of bereavement or so openly confronted their own predicament. Fewer still have won through to final redemption purely because of their indomitable spirit, moral honesty and unconquerable will.”
HUGH DAVID, 'The Times'