Quite a good time to be born

Born on January 28, 1935, in a lower-middle-class London family, David Lodge's artistic roots trace back to his musician father and Irish-Belgian Catholic mother. Growing up during World War II, he experienced significant social and cultural transformations that would later inform his writing. This memoir reflects on his life leading up to the publication of his breakthrough book, Changing Places. Lodge recalls his childhood and university years at University College London, where he met his future wife, Mary. After completing National Service and postgraduate research, he finally marries and becomes a father, facing the challenges of establishing himself as a novelist and academic. A fortunate opportunity at the University of Birmingham introduces him to Malcolm Bradbury, a colleague with similar aspirations. His promising career unfolds alongside a fulfilling marriage, offering chances for travel and engagement with new ideas and friends, while also presenting unexpected professional and personal hurdles. Candid, witty, and insightful, this memoir provides a compelling glimpse into a transformative era in British society and the development of a writer who has achieved classic status in his lifetime.