Time to Be in Earnest: A Fragment of Autobiography

I had forgotten what a great writer she was. This is a one year diary but there is so much history and perspective that you won’t want to miss.

In P. D. James' elegantly written detective novels, the author manages to remain discreetly hidden, devoting herself to revealing the thoughts and deeds of her characters, and the arranging of her intricate plots, all within their carefully chosen and clearly described locations and settings. She does not intrude herself or use her books as a platform for airing her opinions. All we know of her is that her writing is unfailingly clear and articulate, the English language beautifully used, and that her eye for detail and her understanding of human nature are unsurpassed.In this book, Time To Be In Earnest, Ms James steps from behind the curtain and records for us one year of her life. We follow her to various appointments and speaking engagements, ride with her on British railways, have tea with her and her friends and family. We're given reminiscences about her childhood, her marriage, her children. We meet her cat. And perhaps best of all, we are treated to her wise and witty comments, her thoughtful observations about current events. Princess Diana died during the year of the writing of this journal.At the end of the book I was sorry that she recorded only one year. But on the other hand, it was enough. I felt almost as if Ms. James and I had become old friends.

I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiographical account: James calls it a “partial record of one year” (of her incredibly active and full life), but manages to reminisce enough so that we catch glimpses of a great deal more of it. Her musings range from her childhood experiences growing up in England, to religion, current events and, of course, fiction writing. She shares thoughts on it all— thoughts which are insightful, well articulated, and a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the peeks into British Life, English landscapes, and, as a great Jane Austen fan, I particularly relished the treatment James gives Austen, her “favorite novelist.” (Included at the end of the book is a superb foray into EMMA—a talk James gave at Chawton House—and reason in itself to read this book.) I have not been a big fan of the detective novel, but after reading this, I’ll be giving P.D.James’ books a try—beginning, of course, with DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY.

I'm a big PD James fan and was happy to discover this. It's essential PDJ, no-nonsense, no sentimentality, no tell-all or confessions. But I learned a lot more about her than I had known. She cherishes her Anglicanism and is a Tory, not Labour. Her commentary on aspects of modern life is acerbic and wonderful. She takes the BBC to task for down-market programming and up-market executive salaries. An old-fashioned Englishwoman, very talented, generous with her gifts -- she speaks everywhere and sits on committees, stays very busy, but still has produced, what, two dozen or more books? Who knew she didn't go to university, nor did her parents, it just wasn't in the cards between the wars. Neither her childhood nor or marriage were of the fairy-tale variety. And she became a civil servant to support her family and ensure a steady paycheck, sticking with it for 18 years after publication of her first book. What a woman!

Strange as it is, I read James' fragment of an autobiography before I read any of her fiction. My father had met her aboard an ocean liner and as they got to know one another, James recommended that he give me a copy of Time to Be In Earnest. I enjoyed it because it gave me ideas of how an autobiography might be shaped, should I ever want to write one myself. The approach James took, that of keeping a diary that then led her when appropriate to comment on past events of her life, was interesting and made perfect sense. I did enjoy reading about the daily activities of such a famous personage, the meals out, the talks given, the places visited. I appreciated how her approach to autobiography allowed her complete control over what she chose to share and what she chose to keep private. Her musings on the art of fiction were also thought-provoking.

I don't read mysteries, but P.D. James is quite famous and I love memoirs, so I picked this up and enjoyed most of this book. I liked her narration and personality. I liked the back and forth between current day and the past. She has a lovely dry wit and is very smart and pleasant to hang out with. I liked reading about her early days, the WW II era, and up to the time she sold her first book especially. The only aspect I didn't care for was sometimes she seems to lecture a bit on subjects like politics or feminism. She's entitled to her opinion. It's just I was more interested in the details of her life.

England's Barroness P.D.James wrote her first book in the early 1960's, dealing with the marital complications of a mentally ill husband and raising a young family. Employed for 30 years in the British Civil Service, she had the background for what became a series of 17 mystery novels. She brilliantly crafted the character of Inspector Adam Dalgliesh and attracted international readers. By the time she was in her late 70's she had been asked, and had declined, many times to write an autobiography. What she decided to do instead was to keep a daily diary for one year, not necessarily of her activity each day but intermingled reflections of past experiences, as well. Time To Be In Earnest is unusual in it's personal comments, her years of public service and eventual entry into the House of Lords, and her "obsession" with her own favorite author, Jane Austen. Each revelation is a short and personal story, an interesting view into James's thoughts and her life.

Mmmm - something went disastrously wrong with the conception or execution of this title, perhaps both. The last third of the book is devoted to endmatter (Appendices). As a former book editor for the Pearson Group of companies it strikes me that here is a book gone awry. If P. D. James wasn't keen on setting out on the task she should have never embarked on it.Many trivial details are included (what was consumed at literary and other public events for example and her modes of travel to such gatherings). My experience inclines me very much to believe that she came up well short of her contractual word-count and so tacked on speeches made as a governor of the BBC. These deserve a separate publication surely.From what authentic autobiographical matter the writer does offer, I accept the fact that she demurs from including any substantial mention of her husband, then deceased. The highlights for me were:Witnessing corporal punishment in the classroom as a pupil;Passing the selective examination to a grammar school but then not being denied a place at her chosen school;Having a disastrous first taste of employment (I know that feeling);Her strong filial affection for her father;Her rules for book reviewers (which I endeavour to follow) and her description of the parts of a novel;The mention of numerous and intriguing real-life murders (for example the case of Maria Marten and the Red Barn murder);Reading Jane Austen at the tender age of eight; and lastlyHer prescient observation on the arrival of stiff competition for the BBC and its viewing output.That's not a lot, is it? Additionally, in one or two places P. D. James clearly errs: "Shakespeare is thought of primarily as a poet ..." (Saturday, 13th December). A playwright who mostly wrote in verse, yes, but whose intention was for the plays to be staged and not recited. Finally, the chosen title for this book is a misnomer. The personal details are chosen haphazardly and do not form a cohesive whole. Without the word 'autobiography' there perhaps wouldn't have been a book at all, but I would call it more accurately "Recorded random reminiscences".

Falling into no particular category, this unique and absorbing piece of story-telling is knitted into a coherent garment by the distinctive prose. it was a joy from start to finish and I learned some absorbing new ideas every few pages. it has already been recommended by me, as it had been recommended to me. Searching for something to balance my enthusiasm, I would say that there might have been a more appealing title. often if a person is described as being earnest one might expect him or her to be boring. boring is absolutely not what this book is.

So far extremely interesting and I enjoy the way P.D. James has incorporated a diary of her activities with comments on the differences between life when she was a child with current attitudes and values. Her observations on religion and education are particularly fascinating as her comments on the events surrounding the death of Princess Diana which were in accordance with how I felt at the time. As expected from a writer of her capabilities and expertise, the language is rich and expressive and my vocabulary has been expanded considerably. A really interesting and stimulating read.

I give this book a five star rating because I thoroughly enjoyed reading about one of my favourite authors. Considering this book came out in 1999, there is still so much to be recorded. The successes of her four more Dalgliesh novels, the publication of Talking About Detective Fiction, and the arrival of Death Comes to Pemberley. This is an exceptional insight to the life of Britain's leading crime writer. Through simple things we see her life. Her recollections are often charming and at some times heart wrenching. But her insight to her works is also brilliantly drawn. P. D. James is my favourite crime novelist, and her autobiography is beautifully written, her ideas are extraordinary, her humour and wit is brilliant. For someone who believes all fiction is autobiographical and all autobiography is fiction, she certainly keeps her memories well. I like how she wanted certain personal things private because in the end they are hers to keep private. I highly recommend A Time to be in Earnest to all P. D. James fans and those who like autobiographical works.

On her 77th birthday, P.D. James decided to write a diary for one year. The diary containts not only descriptions of her personal life. Through her comments, the reader learns much about P.D. James' personal views on events, issues and topics regarding both the past and the year during which this diary was written. The comments show wonderful observation skills and read more like a novel. Captivating!