Rebecca's Vest

<p>''Miller was in his mother''s womb when she left his father in London, bringing to an end a brief marriage. <b>Rebecca''s Vest</b> treats subsequent beginnings and phases of his life: orphan-like upbringing by female relatives in the heart of Midlothian; national service; Cambridge and the start of his career in London, which was to culminate in his founding editorship of the <i>London Review of Books </i>... Karl Miller is as generously sensitive to the gifts and style of others as he is savagely precise about his own shortcomings.'' Mick Imlah<br><br>''Like walking barefoot on sharp pebbles - and worth every memorable, searing step.'' Valentine Cunningham<br><br>''A dry, witty, elegant book, <b>Rebecca''s Vest</b> stays in my mind while other books fade.'' Doris Lessing<br><br>''Fascinated by doubleness, the author of a highly original critical work on the subject, Miller calls himself a double man, but understates the case. There are more than two of him in there.'' Clive James</p>