It’s Too Late Now, The Autobiography Of A Writer

Author: A. A. Milne
Price: £495
Publisher: Methuen, London, UK
Publication Date: 1939
Format: Original cloth with dustwrapper
Condition: Near fine in a very good indeed dustwrapper
Size: 15.4cm x 22.5cm
Pages: 267

Description

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“It’s Too Late Now: The Autobiography of a Writer” offers an intimate glimpse into the life and thoughts of A.A. Milne, the celebrated author behind Winnie-the-Pooh. Published by Methuen in 1939, this first edition covers Milne’s reflections on his life and career. The book is bound in original cloth, with the cloth remaining bright and showing only minor rubbing to the spine lettering. The binding is nice and tight, with slight cracking to the paper of the front paste-down. Inside, the pages are very clean, making this a near fine copy. Included is the ‘Methuen Books, Spring, 1939’ list, loosely inserted. The dustwrapper is in very good condition, bright and clean, with slight nicks, chips, and rubbing. A very nice copy indeed. Very scarce in the first edition.

The Story

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In “It’s Too Late Now”, Milne reflects on his life, from his early days as a student and budding writer to his immense success with the Winnie-the-Pooh series. The autobiography reveals Milne’s thoughts on writing, fame, and the literary world, offering readers a personal account of the man behind some of the most beloved children’s stories ever written. This work stands as a testament to Milne’s legacy as a writer of both children’s and adult literature.

A.A. Milne: A Short Biography

Early Life and Education
Alan Alexander Milne, commonly known as A.A. Milne, was born on January 18, 1882, in Hampstead, London. He was the youngest of three sons born to John Vine Milne, a schoolmaster, and Sarah Maria Milne. Milne was educated at Westminster School and later at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics. At Cambridge, he became the editor of Granta, the university’s student magazine, where he began to hone his writing skills.

Early Career
After graduating from Cambridge, Milne moved to London and began his career as a writer. He wrote humorous pieces for Punch magazine, where he eventually became an assistant editor. His early work included essays, poems, and plays, which established him as a successful and popular humourist. Milne also served in World War I, an experience that later influenced some of his writing.

Literary Success and Winnie-the-Pooh
Milne’s most enduring fame comes from his creation of the beloved children’s character Winnie-the-Pooh. The inspiration for the character came from Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne, and his collection of stuffed animals. The first book, “Winnie-the-Pooh,” was published in 1926, followed by “The House at Pooh Corner” in 1928. These stories introduced readers to the adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and other characters in the Hundred Acre Wood. The books were illustrated by E.H. Shepard, whose drawings have become iconic.

In addition to the Pooh stories, Milne also wrote two poetry collections for children: “When We Were Very Young” (1924) and “Now We Are Six” (1927). These collections further solidified his reputation as a beloved children’s author.

Other Works
Despite his immense success with children’s literature, Milne was a prolific writer in other genres as well. He wrote numerous plays, novels, and essays throughout his career. Some of his notable works include the play “Mr. Pim Passes By” (1920), the novel “The Red House Mystery” (1922), and the non-fiction work “Peace with Honour” (1934), where he expressed his pacifist views.

Later Life and Legacy
Milne continued to write until his health began to decline in the 1950s. He suffered a stroke in 1952 and passed away on January 31, 1956, at the age of 74. Despite his diverse body of work, Milne is most remembered for his contributions to children’s literature, particularly the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, which continue to be cherished by readers of all ages around the world.

Milne’s legacy lives on through the timeless appeal of Winnie-the-Pooh, a character that has transcended generations and become a symbol of childhood innocence and imagination. The books remain in print and have been translated into numerous languages, ensuring that Milne’s work continues to delight and inspire new readers.

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