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'Miller was in his mother's womb when she left his father in London, bringing to an end a brief marriage. Rebecca's Vest treats subsequent beginnings and phases of his life: orphan-like upbringing by female relatives in the heart of Midlothian; national service; Cambridge and the start of his career in London, which was to culminate in his founding editorship of the London Review of Books ... Karl Miller is as generously sensitive to the gifts and style of others as he is savagely precise about his own shortcomings.' Mick Imlah 'Like walking barefoot on sharp pebbles - and worth every memorable, searing step.' Valentine Cunningham 'A dry, witty, elegant book, Rebecca's Vest stays in my mind while other books fade.' Doris Lessing 'Fascinated by doubleness, the author of a highly original critical work on the subject, Miller calls himself a double man, but understates the case. There are more than two of him in there.' Clive James
About the author
Karl Miller founded the London Review of Books in 1979, and went on to edit it for many years. Formerly literary editor of the Spectator and the New Statesman, and editor of the Listener, he was also Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College London. Among his books are Cockburn's Millennium and Doubles, which Alan Massie has described as two of 'the most illuminating books about Scotland to have appeared in my lifetime.' Karl Miller's vivid portrait of James Hogg, Electric Shepherd, appeared in 2003.
Summary
Describes various phases of the author's life, including orphan-like upbringing by female relatives in the heart of Midlothian; national service; and Cambridge and the start of his career in London, which was to culminate in his founding editorship of the "London Review of Books".
