Olivia Manning

Olivia Manning: A Life in Letters and Literature

‘What is life but a series of choices?’ This rhetorical question encapsulates the essence of Olivia Manning’s journey, a British novelist whose life was as complex as her works. Born on March 2, 1908, Manning’s path to literary success was fraught with personal struggles and political intrigue.

The Early Years: A Life in Art

Olivia Mary Manning’s early years were marked by a love for art and literature. She attended art school and moved to London, where her first novel, The Wind Changes, was published in 1937. This pivotal moment set the stage for her future literary endeavors.

Personal Struggles and Political Intrigue

Manning’s life was not without its challenges. She faced personal struggles, including unfulfilled ambitions and envious relationships. Her nickname ‘Olivia Moaning’ reflected her grumbling nature, but it was Reggie Smith’s support that helped her gain recognition after her death in 1980.

War and Writing: The Balkan Trilogy

The Second World War profoundly influenced Manning’s writing. Her experiences in Greece, Egypt, and British Mandatory Palestine with her husband Reggie shaped her best-known work, Fortunes of War. Critics praised the series as a significant fictional record of the war.

A Life in Exile: The Levant Trilogy

After the war, Manning returned to Britain and continued writing. Her works, including the Balkan Trilogy and the Levant Trilogy, explored themes of displacement, racism, and colonialism. These novels are often described as journeys, odysseys, and quests in both literal and metaphorical senses.

Recognition and Legacy

Manning’s work received little critical attention during her lifetime but gained popularity posthumously with the television serialisation of Fortunes of War. Her plots are often described as journeys, odysseys, and quests in both literal and metaphorical senses. Manning’s talent for ‘exquisite evocations of place’ has been widely admired.

A Writer’s Life: Reviews and Adaptations

Manning wrote reviews, radio adaptations, and scripts. Her book The Remarkable Expedition about Emin Pasha and Henry Stanley was generally well-reviewed. In contrast to other women’s war fiction of the period, Manning’s works do not recount life on the home front but observe combatants and non-combatants at the front and behind the lines.

The Legacy of Olivia Manning

Olivia Manning’s legacy lies in her ability to capture the essence of war and displacement. Her works, particularly Fortunes of War, are considered among the most underrated novels of the twentieth century. Manning’s exploration of themes such as displacement, racism, and colonialism has made her a significant figure in literature.

Olivia Manning’s life and work continue to inspire readers and scholars alike. Her journey from a young artist in London to a celebrated novelist who chronicled the complexities of war and displacement is a testament to her enduring talent and vision.

Through her writing, Manning not only captured the essence of her times but also left behind a rich legacy that continues to resonate with readers today. She was more than just a writer; she was a witness to history, a chronicler of human experience, and an artist who painted vivid pictures of the world around her.