More than half of Brian Aldiss’s autobiography deals with his childhood at
boarding schools and his war years in Burma, and their effects on him: “. . .
why, I was hardly fit for human society. Thus destiny shaped me to be a
science-fiction writer.” The Twinkling of an Eye is an often humorous, often
painful, but always fascinating and beautifully written account of Aldiss’s life
as a writer and critic, and more revealingly as a son, comrade, friend, lover,
husband and father. Published by Little Brown, £20, ISBN 0316647063.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Space
UN space database aimed at easing global tensions is mysteriously down
News

Environment
Global warming already causing crop losses of over $20 billion a year
News

Mathematics
Mathematicians put AI to work on Fermat's last theorem
News

Mathematics
The sneaky maths trick for solving problems without answering them
91É«Ç鯬
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Mathematics of thermodynamics is being rewritten after 200 years
2
Mathematicians put AI to work on Fermat's last theorem
3
This book is essential reading before watching the new Odyssey film
4
Salt batteries are about to shake up EVs and grid storage
5
The 4 best science-fiction shows of 2026 so far
6
Resuscitated human retinas respond to light 10 hours after death
7
How healthy is your brain? We now know how to find out
8
Why Schrödinger's 1944 classic What Is Life? still feels prescient
9
How extreme heat affects the body – and the best ways to cope
10
Our fertility window could be extended by making ovaries softer