The Years with Mother

Abridged edition of the first 3 volumes of the original 6 volume work as edited by Malcolm Barnes. Augustus Hare (1834-1903) was adopted by his extremely pious paternal aunt Maria and lived and travelled with her until he was an adult and after. He wrote guide books to many of the most popular areas visited by travellers to Europe, especially France and Italy, as well as biographies of members of his family. His real interest today is as an indiscreet, gossipy and detail-loving observer of the lives and social conditions of members of his class and circle which included members of the aristocracy. The extreme religiosity of his Aunt Maria is scarcely credible nowadays and though it had a lasting effect on his life, her (to us now) apparent cruelties were accepted by Hare and he was devoted to her. The sequel, also abridged by Barnes, is titled My Solitary Life. Both are fascinating and entertaining reads. Somerset Maugham knew Hare and his essay on him is published in Maugham's In Vagrant Mood.