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As It Was and World Without End
"I remember so well that very first meeting…"
As It Was consists of two short, beautifully written memoirs, As It Was (1926) and World Without End (1931). They are about Helen Thomas’s life with the poet Edward Thomas. In the first book they meet, fall in love, make love, and get married. The second describes their life until the day Edward left to return to the trenches in France. Read together, they are a powerful love story written with extraordinary frankness for the time.
As It Was consists of two short, beautifully written memoirs, As It Was (1926) and World Without End (1931). They are about Helen Thomas’s life with the poet Edward Thomas. In the first book they meet, fall in love, make love, and get married. The second describes their life until the day Edward left to return to the trenches in France. Read together, they are a powerful love story written with extraordinary frankness for the time.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
About the author
Helen Thomas
10 booksHelen Berenice Thomas, née Noble, was the daughter of the journalist James Ashcroft Noble. She was born in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool, in 1877 but grew up in London. She met the poet Edward Thomas in 1894 and married him in 1899, while he was still an undergraduate student at Oxford University. They had three children before he was killed at the Battle of Arras in 1917.
Helen wrote her first memoir of their life together, As It Was, in 1926, and followed it with World Without End in 1931. She died in Berkshire in 1967.
Helen wrote her first memoir of their life together, As It Was, in 1926, and followed it with World Without End in 1931. She died in Berkshire in 1967.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 2, 2018
Somehow a 1926 first edition of “As It Was” found its way to my bookshelf, and to be honest, that is the only book of the two that I’ve read so far. I’m waiting for “World Without End” to arrive any day now.
I should have written a review when the book was fresh in my mind, since there are so few reviews available; but I rarely write criticisms, finding that others do a much more successful job of them. In this case, Thomas’s spare but evocative prose left me stunned, and too emotional to take on the task. This memoir of her early life and love affair with the poet Edward Thomas (who she calls David) was one of the most intimate accounts I’ve ever read, and amazingly forthright for the time period. Her mature reflections on her younger self, including her awkwardness, her rivalry with siblings, her antagonistic relationship with her mother, and her maturation into a self-assured, sensual, and unconventional woman depict a growth so natural, self-reflective, and honest that it many times brought me to tears. If you are a woman who has ever been in love or given birth, this memoir will seem to come straight from your life, if only you could have found such sensitive phrases to describe it. The book culminates with the birth of their first child, in a description that almost made me feel the agony and joy of labor again.
If you can find this book, read it. I see on WorldCat that many universities have copies.
I should have written a review when the book was fresh in my mind, since there are so few reviews available; but I rarely write criticisms, finding that others do a much more successful job of them. In this case, Thomas’s spare but evocative prose left me stunned, and too emotional to take on the task. This memoir of her early life and love affair with the poet Edward Thomas (who she calls David) was one of the most intimate accounts I’ve ever read, and amazingly forthright for the time period. Her mature reflections on her younger self, including her awkwardness, her rivalry with siblings, her antagonistic relationship with her mother, and her maturation into a self-assured, sensual, and unconventional woman depict a growth so natural, self-reflective, and honest that it many times brought me to tears. If you are a woman who has ever been in love or given birth, this memoir will seem to come straight from your life, if only you could have found such sensitive phrases to describe it. The book culminates with the birth of their first child, in a description that almost made me feel the agony and joy of labor again.
If you can find this book, read it. I see on WorldCat that many universities have copies.
Read
February 17, 2021Beautifully written. The names are changed, but the events are all true as far as I understand––this book reads like Thomas' memoir. The ending is completely heart wrenching as the reader is usually aware of beforehand if they are familiar with Helen Thomas and her story.
Really fast read and her writing really drew me in. That last part is so beautiful.
Really fast read and her writing really drew me in. That last part is so beautiful.
February 7, 2022
Review to follow.
May 8, 2023
#PersephoneClub on Litsy - April 2023
March 31, 2023
I didn’t like Edward as much as Helen did, the moods, the going off and leaving her, the walking in silence, the flirting with other women, but I did like the writing, especially the nature parts. I can see how her writing about sex would have been controversial then, possibly even now, how often do we read about women enjoying sex in this earthy, natural way?
July 31, 2022
In parts a wonderfully liberating tail of true love, honestly more interested in the real story behind this fictionalization. To that end I found the afterword almost more engaging.
April 16, 2023
The first book of this two part memoir is one of the most romantic stories of first love and first connection Iv ever read , the young Helen Tomas meeting her future husband Edward Thomas (poet,
Writer , journalist ) for the first time in England in the 1900s, what first struck me was how modern and easy to read her writing was, and her description’s of the beauty of the English countryside, fauna and flora almost made me weep at what Wev lost in the last 100 years.
The simplicity of their lives the lack of consumerism the make and mend the just getting on with it, yes
It was a tougher existence but aren’t we all now spoilt and unable to make and mend, throw away lifestyles have destroyed our beautiful planet. Anyway the fauna and flora is a side story as these two memoirs focus on their relationship. World without end is far grittier as Edward sinks into bouts of depression and anger. He is terribly cruel to his wife and his small children. I detested the man , but she adored him and forgive him all. He clearly introduces other women into his marriage and either she was so naive and blinded by her adoration of him she just thought they were “friends and acquaintances”
Or she embraced his infidelities as part of their marriage. Apparently after his death in the First World War she had a nervous breakdown. Personally I would have thrown a tea party to be shot of a narcissistic controlling bully. She always put herself down as being plain looking of no special talent whilst praising his handsome looks and unique abilities and gifted talent (I’d never heard of him so he can’t have been that talented !) which is so so sad as she’s clearly an extremely gifted writer. He clearly made her think this way as extremely cruelly in front of a “new woman friend “ he puts her down by saying “ yes that is you all over , you try with your idiotic kindness to please everyone and succeed in pleasing nobody , me least of all ,”
What a charmer ! In modern times the man would be considered a controlling abusive husband. Helen Thomas i believe almost single handedly raised their children made homes , stability and security for her family whilst he stormed off to brood about his lack of gainful employment. The lady is a heroine in my opinion.
One other thing does Persephone never publish a bad book ?? This is my 4th persophone read this year and they have all been outstandingly wonderful books . Iv always been a huge fan of Dorothy whipple many authors are sighted as a modern Jane Austen she to me really was , if you haven’t read any Dorothy whipple you really must your in for a huge treat . Someone at a distance is her most famous but high wages is my favourite . Happy reading and happy discovering persephone if you Haven’t already ! Check out the #persephonebookclub on Litsy .
Writer , journalist ) for the first time in England in the 1900s, what first struck me was how modern and easy to read her writing was, and her description’s of the beauty of the English countryside, fauna and flora almost made me weep at what Wev lost in the last 100 years.
The simplicity of their lives the lack of consumerism the make and mend the just getting on with it, yes
It was a tougher existence but aren’t we all now spoilt and unable to make and mend, throw away lifestyles have destroyed our beautiful planet. Anyway the fauna and flora is a side story as these two memoirs focus on their relationship. World without end is far grittier as Edward sinks into bouts of depression and anger. He is terribly cruel to his wife and his small children. I detested the man , but she adored him and forgive him all. He clearly introduces other women into his marriage and either she was so naive and blinded by her adoration of him she just thought they were “friends and acquaintances”
Or she embraced his infidelities as part of their marriage. Apparently after his death in the First World War she had a nervous breakdown. Personally I would have thrown a tea party to be shot of a narcissistic controlling bully. She always put herself down as being plain looking of no special talent whilst praising his handsome looks and unique abilities and gifted talent (I’d never heard of him so he can’t have been that talented !) which is so so sad as she’s clearly an extremely gifted writer. He clearly made her think this way as extremely cruelly in front of a “new woman friend “ he puts her down by saying “ yes that is you all over , you try with your idiotic kindness to please everyone and succeed in pleasing nobody , me least of all ,”
What a charmer ! In modern times the man would be considered a controlling abusive husband. Helen Thomas i believe almost single handedly raised their children made homes , stability and security for her family whilst he stormed off to brood about his lack of gainful employment. The lady is a heroine in my opinion.
One other thing does Persephone never publish a bad book ?? This is my 4th persophone read this year and they have all been outstandingly wonderful books . Iv always been a huge fan of Dorothy whipple many authors are sighted as a modern Jane Austen she to me really was , if you haven’t read any Dorothy whipple you really must your in for a huge treat . Someone at a distance is her most famous but high wages is my favourite . Happy reading and happy discovering persephone if you Haven’t already ! Check out the #persephonebookclub on Litsy .
April 13, 2023
Edward Thomas, is one of the WW1 poets and it is a remarkable part of literary history so picked up this two part memoir by his wife Helen intrigued to learn of the life behind the writer.
The story tells of a young woman Jenny who has a troubled relationship with a difficult mother and father she adores. When she meets David a friendship blooms and then becomes a passionate love affair. The description of how this relationship changes and the nature of sexual attraction is expressed in a beautiful manner and this writing is so evocative of young love that it left a feeling of joy in what it is to be young and in love. The story is also a love poem to an unspoiled English countryside and the writing had me imagining myself wandering the country hedgerows watching birds and insects flitting about and the seasons changing.
The second half tells of the couples life after children as they manage family and where they live as 'Edward' struggles to make a life in the literary world while 'Helen' has to make limited money stretch as they move from one rented house to another.
What is profoundly moving is however how Helen copes with Edwards's fluctuating moods. He is frequently driven to black moods but despite this Helen's joy and love for her husband shines through.
This is a book about love and it is also about a woman's role in the life of a difficult man and my reading was enhanced by another reader posting the wonderful poem 'And You, Helen' which is a love letter to this remarkable woman.
The book has an inevitable ending and the sense of loss palpable.
The story tells of a young woman Jenny who has a troubled relationship with a difficult mother and father she adores. When she meets David a friendship blooms and then becomes a passionate love affair. The description of how this relationship changes and the nature of sexual attraction is expressed in a beautiful manner and this writing is so evocative of young love that it left a feeling of joy in what it is to be young and in love. The story is also a love poem to an unspoiled English countryside and the writing had me imagining myself wandering the country hedgerows watching birds and insects flitting about and the seasons changing.
The second half tells of the couples life after children as they manage family and where they live as 'Edward' struggles to make a life in the literary world while 'Helen' has to make limited money stretch as they move from one rented house to another.
What is profoundly moving is however how Helen copes with Edwards's fluctuating moods. He is frequently driven to black moods but despite this Helen's joy and love for her husband shines through.
This is a book about love and it is also about a woman's role in the life of a difficult man and my reading was enhanced by another reader posting the wonderful poem 'And You, Helen' which is a love letter to this remarkable woman.
The book has an inevitable ending and the sense of loss palpable.
November 10, 2022
"The author, Helen Thomas is the widow of the poet Edward Thomas, and she originally wrote this story of their love, courtship and life together shortly after the first world war when Edward Thomas was tragically killed. It is still a very good, very beautiful tale of true love; it has the flavour of a time not long ago but altogether different from the world of the 'fifties. Such a fresh and unconsciously frank account of a love affair was thought shocking when it first appeared. Readers will take pleasure now in the simple distinctions of thought and writing which make As It Was such a joy to read."
~~front flap
I thought the book was a was a sad reminiscence of a tragic love affair. The couple's choice of a bohemian life style, with no fixed income, struck me as almost suicidal. The fact that it was probably due to Edward's mental instability didn't make it any better: a wife and three children living hand-to-mouth and dealing with his periods of horrific depression didn't seem to me to be a glorious love affair. I enjoyed the fact that they both loved nature so much, and enjoyed the passages devoted to the description of their surrounds. But otherwise I was saddened and horrified at the description of such a tragic life.
~~front flap
I thought the book was a was a sad reminiscence of a tragic love affair. The couple's choice of a bohemian life style, with no fixed income, struck me as almost suicidal. The fact that it was probably due to Edward's mental instability didn't make it any better: a wife and three children living hand-to-mouth and dealing with his periods of horrific depression didn't seem to me to be a glorious love affair. I enjoyed the fact that they both loved nature so much, and enjoyed the passages devoted to the description of their surrounds. But otherwise I was saddened and horrified at the description of such a tragic life.
December 4, 2022
I might have heard of her poet husband, but I'd never heard of Helen Thomas or her memoirs. I'm reading the wonderful 'Guns of August', a history of WW1, by Barbara Tuchman and she referenced them and I'm so glad she did. I ordered the Persephone two in one edition and the day it arrived, I put aside 'Guns of August' because I couldn't resist 'As It Was' after quickly reading that first sentence. What a writer! Her memory for the smallest details, closely knit observations and the sheer beauty of her writing reminded me of Laurie Lee. She lived a life of huge and ferocious passion for all that was home: her husband, children, housework, garden and her letter-writing. I found her inspirational whether she was discussing books or baking cakes. Her honesty is astonishing for a woman of her time, from discussing their sexual explorations as a very young couple and then, later on, describing her husband's depression and how it affected her. And as for that last Christmas with Edward and that final sighting of him as he heads back to war ... well, I think I will be rereading that for some time to come.
May 12, 2021
This book moved me so much, not only because of the ultimate tragedy of the story, but also because the copy I have belonged to my late grandmother (she has written her name in it, and sellotaped inside the cover some relevant newspaper cuttings about the book). I imagine it meaning a lot to her as her husband also went off to war, leaving her pregnant with my mother. Thankfully he returned alive and well, but not until my mother was 10 months old.
The book is beautifully written, and conveys the depth of the author's love for her husband, though it doesn't shy away from the intensely difficult periods in their marriage when he suffered from depression, and at times doubted his love for her. I thoroughly recommend it as a gentle, emotional portrait of a relationship.
The book is beautifully written, and conveys the depth of the author's love for her husband, though it doesn't shy away from the intensely difficult periods in their marriage when he suffered from depression, and at times doubted his love for her. I thoroughly recommend it as a gentle, emotional portrait of a relationship.
December 12, 2022
After reading reviews, I was so excited to read this book that I sourced it from Blackwell's. The book disappointed me. Although these are memoirs, the author has changed the names so I feel free to criticize them as though they were fictional characters. Two inept dreamers meet, marry and make each other miserable. Their life consists of walking in nature and waxing eloquent over flora and fauna. The prose is prettily written but I did not find anything other than the title that would make the book memorable for me. The book does have a beginning and an ending but I'm not sure that that makes it merit the title reminiscent of the benediction- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, 'as it was' in the beginning, is now and ever shall be 'world without end.'
November 15, 2022
I don’t think I have the words to express the magnificence of these two books (in one). So much heart and soul, so much feeling. So relatable, so loving, so real. I need this to be one of those books I read again and again. It is quite something. People are quite something. So many extraordinary yet ordinary lives with stories out there. A brilliant piece of work. I’ll remember it always.
May 31, 2024
My new favorite of the Persephone Books that I have read. Absolutely ahead of its time. Poignant, romantic, sexy…stunning nature descriptions and renderings of depression. I loved every minute.
February 28, 2023
I feel privileged to have read this passionate and uninhibited memoir. It is a heartbreaking, pure, and truly exquisite book, a memorial to a life she shared with her soulmate.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews