Drink Time!

Description

Dolores Payas has written a delightful and moving account of colourful adventurer, Patrick Leigh Fermor, a snapshot account of his final years surrounded by his drinks, his guests, and above all, his books. This short book conveys a portrait of a man who "became indomitable, proud and charming in old age, while retaining his other attributes". An original and witty study in nostalgia, mixed with personal fortitude, right up until the end.

Dolores Payas was born in Spain but now leads a semi-nomadic existence, sharing her time between Beijing and Barcelona, with periods in Switzerland, England and Greece. A dedicated autodidact, her fields of interest are ample. She is passionate about languages, literature and music. She loves country houses; the older the better. All time stands still when she is in her garden or her kitchen. She has written for the silver screen and directed two feature films. She is a translator, publishes the occasional cultural article, and has written two novels. She has two daughters and one granddaughter. Amanda Hopkinson is currently Professor of Literary Translation at City University London, as well as Deputy President of English PEN, and a trustee of both the Welsh Literature Exchange and Modern Poetry in Translation. She rides horses and bicycles, has four grown children, eight-and-a-half grandchildren (at time of writing), a husband, a cat and a tortoise.

"Drink Time!, a hundred pages long with Ms Payas's evocative photographs...makes a pleasant accompaniment to the evening's first glass." Times Literary Supplement "...A charming memoir..." Nick McKay, Daily Mail "Drink Time! is a touching gem of a book for all Patrick Leigh Fermor fans." Marjory McGinn, author of Things Can Only Get Feta "[A] soulful book... This is excellent ancillary reading to Artemis Cooper's recent, defining biography" Brad Hooper, Booklist "For true Paddy fans this book will be a very welcome addition to our bookshelves... If you want to understand more about Paddy the man, not the writer or bon viveur, you will enjoy Drink Time!" - Tom Sawford, Patrick Leigh Fermor Blog