Description

Book Synopsis
This autobiography is about growing up in Egypt. It is also an investigation into childhood perception in which the author uses herself and her memories as an insight into how children see and know. It is a look at Eygpt up to, and including, World War II from a small girl''s point of view, which is also, ultimately, a moving and rather sad picture of an isolated and lonely little girl.

Trade Review
So vividly evocative that you can smell the dust and dung, jacaranda and the oleander. It offers potent glimpses of British colonial life 50 years ago: the snake-charmer in the garden; the nine-year old Penelope spying on de Gaulle at Government House... The result is a wise, colourful and touching tale * The Times *

Lively uses the imaginative power of a mature novelist to evoke the sounds, sights and smells of Cairo which is not so much 'another country as another century'

* Independent *

Oleander Jacaranda

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    A Paperback / softback by Penelope Lively

    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm on Thursday for delivery by Sat 7 Nov 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Classics
      Published 27 April 2006
      ISBN-13 9780141188324
      978-0141188324
      ISBN-10 0141188324
      Also in:
      Autobiography: adventurers and explorers History African history

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      This autobiography is about growing up in Egypt. It is also an investigation into childhood perception in which the author uses herself and her memories as an insight into how children see and know. It is a look at Eygpt up to, and including, World War II from a small girl''s point of view, which is also, ultimately, a moving and rather sad picture of an isolated and lonely little girl.

      Trade Review
      So vividly evocative that you can smell the dust and dung, jacaranda and the oleander. It offers potent glimpses of British colonial life 50 years ago: the snake-charmer in the garden; the nine-year old Penelope spying on de Gaulle at Government House... The result is a wise, colourful and touching tale * The Times *

      Lively uses the imaginative power of a mature novelist to evoke the sounds, sights and smells of Cairo which is not so much 'another country as another century'

      * Independent *

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