Charlbury writer explores family history in new memoir

Charlbury-based art historian Juliet Heslewood, who has written 14 books, said the memoir was inspired by her childhood memories and the women who influenced her life.

Her latest work, Old Woman Young Woman, looks at the lives of the older women she knew as a child and imagines the younger selves beneath the surface.

Ms Heslewood said: “Older women never lose their younger selves. They are just hidden.

“When I was a child, my granny Gogi, the Great Aunts, Floss and Dorki seemed as if they had always been old.

“But they were far more than fierce visitors, unsuspecting victims or domestic drudges.

“Writing this book has been a chance to learn about them, and learn about myself now that I am growing older.”

She will discuss her memoir at a free talk at Jaffé and Neale Bookshop and Café in Chipping Norton on Thursday, September 10, at 11am.

The idea for the book began with memories of her father’s three aunts.

Ms Heslewood said: “My inspiration to write this book was gradual.

“It started when I was thinking about my father’s three aunts who brought him up after his parents died.

“I only knew them as elderly women who scowled.”