1943*1st* I, Too, Have Lived In Arcadia - Mrs Belloc Lowndes(Readers Union Ltd)

Couple of marks on cover green boards title on spine. Good condition other wise

“I, Too, Have Lived in Arcadia” is a memoir written by Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes, an accomplished English writer best known for her crime novels and mystery stories. Published in 1941, this autobiographical work reflects on her life and career, offering personal insights into the literary and social circles of her time.

Overview of the Memoir:

The title of the book, I, Too, Have Lived in Arcadia, is a reference to the famous Latin phrase “Et in Arcadia ego,” often interpreted to mean that death exists even in paradise. The phrase suggests that Mrs. Belloc Lowndes is reflecting on the more idyllic, ‘Arcadian’ moments of her life, while also acknowledging the challenges and hardships she faced along the way.

Themes and Content:

• Personal Reflections and Childhood: The memoir takes readers through Belloc Lowndes’ early life, including her upbringing in a literary family. She was the daughter of French painter Louis Belloc and English writer Bessie Rayner Parkes, and the sister of noted writer Hilaire Belloc, so she grew up surrounded by intellectual and artistic influences.

• Literary and Social Circles: The memoir provides fascinating glimpses into the social and literary world of late Victorian and Edwardian England. Belloc Lowndes interacted with famous writers, intellectuals, and public figures of her time, and she reflects on these relationships with wit and insight. Her memoir mentions meetings with luminaries such as Henry James and other well-known figures of the period.

• The Writing Life: As a successful novelist, she discusses her career, particularly her experiences writing crime and mystery fiction. She became famous for works such as The Lodger (1913), inspired by the Jack the Ripper murders. The memoir provides insight into her writing process and her perspectives on the evolving literary landscape of her time.

• Historical Context: The memoir is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including both World Wars, which impacted Belloc Lowndes’ life and writing. Her observations of the changing world provide a rich historical context to her personal narrative.

Significance:

• A Unique Literary Voice: Mrs. Belloc Lowndes’ memoir stands out for its elegant prose, humor, and deep engagement with the literary world of her era. While she is best known for her crime fiction, I, Too, Have Lived in Arcadia shows another side of her literary talents—her ability to capture the richness of her life with warmth and grace.

• A Window into an Era: The memoir serves as an important document of the social and intellectual milieu of late 19th and early 20th-century England, giving readers an intimate view of the people and events that shaped British culture and literature during that period.

Overall, I, Too, Have Lived in Arcadia is a captivating memoir that offers an intimate portrait of Mrs. Belloc Lowndes’ life, with reflections on literature, society, and the joys and sorrows of a writer’s journey.