Bonus of Laughter

Alan Pryce-Jones (1908-2000) had a gift for living, for moving between countries and occupations, and above all for enjoying himself throughout. His memoir offers a highly entertaining account of these varied peregrinations and preoccupations. After Eton and Oxford and a stint on the London Mercury he married and moved to Vienna, joined the army upon the outbreak of war, and after the collapse of France became involved in military intelligence work, returning to Vienna with the Army of Occupation. In peacetime he joined the staff of the Times Literary Supplement, where he would be editor for twelve years. After his second marriage he moved to New York where he was book critic for the Herald Tribune. 'There is charity, gaiety, toughness and good sense in this book.' Alan Massie, Times'Engaging, stylish.' John Gross, Observer