Sybille Bedford

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The first full and intimate biography of writer Sybille Bedford offers a captivating look at her extraordinary life. Born in Germany to aristocratic parents, Bedford (1911-2006) experienced the tumultuous events of the twentieth century, including war, love, and loss, all while striving to capture these experiences through writing. Openly gay, she famously remarked, "I wish I'd written more books and spent less time being in love," highlighting the challenge of balancing her passions. In her forties, she published her breakthrough novel, A Legacy, and continued to create remarkable novels, memoirs, and travel books into her nineties. After her father's death at fourteen and her mother's struggle with morphine addiction, Bedford sought independence and found mentorship in Aldous Huxley. Her time spent with him and his wife in their idyllic French villa became some of her most cherished years, despite her struggles to find her literary voice. These experiences ultimately inspired Jigsaw: An Unsentimental Education, her acclaimed masterwork shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1989. A bon viveur with a love for French wine and cuisine, Bedford traveled extensively, cultivating intense friendships and a deep commitment to her craft, all while pursuing a vibrant life filled with love and adventure.