Some of My Lives

“A lively compendium of this movable feast of art and genius—and of the author's own considerable charm.” ―NPR's Weekend Edition

Rosamond Bernier has lived an unusually full life—remarkable for its vividness and diversity of experience—and she has known many (one is tempted to say all) of the greatest artists and composers of the 20th century.

In Some of My Lives, Bernier has made a kind of literary scrapbook from an extraordinary array of writings, ranging from diary entries to her many contributions to the art journal L'OEIL, which she cofounded in 1955. The result is a multifaceted self-portrait of a life informed and surrounded by the arts.

Through the stories of her encounters with some of the 20th century's great artists and composers—including Pablo Picasso, Leonard Bernstein, Max Ernst, Aaron Copeland, Malcolm Lowry, and Karl Lagerfeld—we come to understand the sheer richness of Bernier's experiences, interactions, and memories. The result is pithy, hilarious, and wise—a richly rewarding chronicle of many lives fully lived.

“Bernier has had so much fun, and her charm, wit, and style are apparent. . . . She turned being social into a kind of art.” ―Louisa Thomas, The New York Times Book Review

“Animated by Bernier's inimitable voice and charm . . . her razor-sharp insights, playful humor, and deep humility throw the colorful personalities surrounding her into high relief.” ―Vogue