The Memorial

Isherwood's witty first foray into autobiographical fiction recalls the post-war dissolution of traditional English families.

The First World War is over. Tall, bony and awkward he finds himself torn between a desire to emulate his heroic father, who led a life of quiet sacrifice, and resentment toward his father's roguish friend Edward Blake, who survived the war only to throw himself into gay life in Berlin.

The First World War is over and Eric Vernon is on the cusp of adulthood.

Tall, bony and awkward, he finds himself torn between a desire to emulate his heroic father, who led a life of quiet sacrifice, and a resentment toward his father's roguish friend Edward Blake, who survived the war only to throw himself into gay life in Berlin and the pursuit of meaningless relationships. Isherwood's witty first foray into autobiographical fiction recalls the aftermath of the First World War and the slow, burning dissolution of tradition-bound English families.

‘Dazzling . . . Pre-eminent for its wit, humour, charm of style and narrative skill’ Guardian

‘In Isherwood's work, a magic potion of history and invention, the voice is clear and, no matter how many times we hear it, it always seems to be speaking for the first time’ New York Times

‘The real thing, the unforced, unfaked writer of genius’ New York Herald Tribune