In 1955, when he first essayed into the world of autobiography, Richard Church was already a well established author.
At birth, in 1893, he had entered a world of gas lights, lamplighters, muffin men, horse drawn cabs, solid-tyred bicycles. His first eight years overlapped Queen Victoria’s last.
Living near enough to walk to The Mall, young Richard witnessed the queen’s coach in her diamond jubilee procession of 1897 and four years later her funeral.
His life therefore heralded a new millennium and all the changes that went with it.
As befits the poet the writer was, his splendid descriptive prose of flowing, resonating, language is so beguiling as to render it beautiful for itself, quite apart from his sensitivity to his memories.
He writes honestly with considerable insight into the family relationships in the family of four, including his beloved parents and brother Jack. Despite flaws, imbalances and darknesses we are in no doubt of the joy in the household. Church’s analyses of all their personalities are candid and credible.
I won’t attempt to précis the work, but so say that his depictions of the London of his time, including starting of in Battersea and move to Dulwich resonate strongly in the Londoner in me; tossing up sycamore leaves and watching them gyrating and rocking to the ground we all played helicopters, except that Church had no word for them when the flying machines had not yet been invented; the five year old’s magical awe when, provided with his first spectacles, he could recognise sharp detail in the world around him, is palpable.
This acutely myopic and sickly child gained access to a Convalescent cure because his father gained access to the Civil Service Medical Officer who made the referral which strengthened the boy despite it being a traumatic wrench over the residential period.
The drawing which appears on the book jacket is of The Author in Later Life by Robert Austin, R.A.
The author’s philosophy of life is woven into this first volume of autobiography. It is enough of a recommendation that as soon as I have posted this, I will open the next one.
I don’t always comment, yet I thoroughly enjoy reading your book reviews Derrick!
Thank you very much, Anne
Sounds an amazing read through historical times Derrick.. x
Thanks very much, Sue X
He sounds an interesting author, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, John
Wonderful book review, enhanced by your knowledge of the history and geography. May have to try to find the book.
Thanks very much, Pat.
I am hoping this book is available through our interlibrary loan system. Sounds so good. I am always fascinated by people who have lived through various eras that have undergone great changes. You might recall my friend Esther, who was born in rural Maine in the 1930s. What changes she saw! She recounted her experience of when, as a young child, she road on a paved road for the first time.
Thanks very much, Laurie. I nw know you have been able to order the book
Your admiration shines through in this review.
Thank you very much, Merril
Quite a prolific writer! I don’t recall reading any of his work.
I hadn’t before. I must have picked up this set in a second hand bookshop decades ago. Thanks very much, Rosaliene
Excellent book review
Thank you very much, Sylvie
You make this hard to ignore.
I will give it a look
Thanks very much, Mimi. I think you would like it
Sounds like a good read.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Sounds like the one I would enjoy reading.
I think you would. Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Sounds like an interesting read.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
Apart from your obvious enjoyment of the writer and his life, this sounds a great resource for anyone setting a novel in this period.
It certainly would be, Gwen. Thank you very much.
YAY, thank you for reviewing this book! A great review!
I’ve read some of Mr. Church’s wonderful poems, but not his auto-bio trilogy. I want to read them.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I remember that you read his poetry and I hope you find the books. Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Your review makes a compelling case for reading the book!
Thank you very much, Liz
Hi Derrick – this autobiography sounds very interesting to me. I had not heard of Richard Church – thank you for bringing up a book from the past!
sounds like an interesting read, Derrick! great review 🙂
Thank you very much, Wilma
Your précis is beautifully written and is riveting in its own right. Thank you for introducing me to yet another talented author.
Much appreciated, Uma
Church sounds like a very interesting person, and your review has piqued my interest in reading his autobiography, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
That looks like a quality read
Thanks very much, Gary
Another interesting book!
Thank you very much, Ribana
You make the book sound irresistible. I am going to look for it. Thank you for this review.
Much appreciated, Crystal