Overview

In 1951 the Australian writers Charmian Clift and George Johnston left grey, post-war London for Greece. Settling first on the tiny island of Kalymnos, then Hydra, their plan was to live simply and focus on their writing, away from the noise of the big city. The result is two of Charmian Clift's best known and most loved books, the memoirs Mermaid Singing and Peel Me a Lotus. Peel Me a Lotus, the companion volume to Mermaid Singing relays their move to Hydra where they bought a house and grappled with the chaos of domestic life and three children whilst also becoming the centre of an informal community of artists and writers. The group later included Leonard Cohen who became their lodger and his girlfriend Marianne Ihlen. Clift paints an evocative picture of the characters and sun-drenched rhythms of traditional life, long before backpackers and mass tourism descended.

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9781838110123

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Reviews

'These are blissful reissues that will bring Grecian heat and light to your life, and much more besides' Editor's Travel Choice. The Bookseller. 'A really beautiful writer who just puts you right there' Polly Samson. ‘Her bold beautiful writing endures’ Daily Mail.‘What a delight that she should have been discovered again’ The Times. ‘They were an inspiration’ Leonard Cohen on Charmian Clift and George Johnston. ‘Clift’s immersive 1950’s memoirs capture the magic, and the menace of Greek island life’ Daily Telegraph

'A really beautiful writer who just puts you right there'. Polly Samson. 'They were an inspiration' Leonard Cohen

Author Information

Charmian Clift (1923-69) was a much-loved Australian writer and essayist she wrote two novels, many essays and collaborated with her husband, George Johnston on three books.

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