Family Memories

Published posthumously, thiswise and entertaining family history and memoir offers keen insight into the origins of Rebecca West and her work

Working on Family Memories for over twenty years, West set out to narrate the story of her mother's, father's and husband's unique and talented families. As in her novels, the richly drawn characters of her heritage and childhood traverse a diverse landscape, from Scotland to Australia to Africa, encountering love, loss, and a panoply of challenges. Although fans will recognize many settings, characters, and themes from her novels, West's exploration of her family stands on its own as an engaging narrative.

Told with her compelling voice, West's chronicles reflect not only the importance of family to identity, but to the way one relates to the larger world.