‘Every single book Slightly Foxed publish is superb. (And beautifully made.) Just pluck at random from the catalogue and happiness is guaranteed.’
So declared a Foxed reader just the other day, and we’re delighted to add a new book to our list of cloth-bound pocket hardbacks this winter: SF Edition No. 53, Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee.
Perfectly designed to curl up with, our reissues of classic memoirs are highly individual and absorbing reads, and the latest addition is no exception. Laurie Lee described this, his best-loved and best-known book, as ‘a recollection of early boyhood’, adding the acknowledgement that ‘some facts may have been distorted by time’. Whether or not they have, as one critic put it, ‘Cider with Rosie seems true as long as you’re reading it – and that’s the most important thing.’ It’s not just a rosy picture of a rural past, but a magical evocation of growing up in a lost world that rings emotionally true.
We bring glad tidings to those of you who wish to follow Laurie beyond his childhood in Slad. We will be reissuing his second memoir, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, in March 2021. This is available to order now, ready to be sent out on publication next year.
There’s still plenty of time to order subscriptions, books and goods for Christmas. Please check our recommended domestic and international last posting dates here. And then do go forth and browse our bookshelves.
We’ll leave you with an extract from Kate Young’s preface to our edition of Cider with Rosie, as well as a whole host of seasonal recommendations below. Happy reading.
With best wishes, as ever, from the SF office staff
Jennie, Anna, Hattie, Jess & Helen