In And Another Thing: Memories of Family Life with a Psychiatrist, Elizabeth Fenwick, wife and co-author of neuropsychiatrist Peter Fenwick, presents a collection of reflections on family life in London in the twentieth century.  Originally written as a series of essays for World Medicine, a leisure magazine for doctors which, under its editor Michael O’Donnell, World Medicine established itself as the most entertaining – and in terms of medical politics – the most irreverent and radical medical magazine of the 1970s.

Elizabeth suggests it’s a memoire, “a sort of potted autobiography without the boring bits”. And boring it is not. It is both witty and perceptive; qualities that come out of close but affectionate observation of the small details and big anomalies of human life in all its forms.

Praise for And Another Thing: Memories of Family Life with a Psychiatrist.

‘Elizabeth Fenwick has written a charming and beautifully crafted series of autobiographical vignettes, reflecting with a wry and gentle wit on human foibles in many different family, and social and professional contexts from cricket matches to awkward house guests and law courts proceedings. Her astute observations frequently raise a smile of recognition in the reader and there are many hilarious moments. This is a terrific read – definitely a book to pack for your holidays and even to read aloud to family and friends.’

~ David Lorimer, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network. Author, A Quest for Wisdom: Inspiring Purpose on the Path of Life.

‘Elizabeth captures life experiences in every story with such tenderness and humour that none but the most over-inflated ego could possibly find offence.  The volunteers in the Covid vaccination waiting area must have thought me a little strange, laughing out loud as I read these stories to myself.  That doesn’t happen often.  Columns by Alan Coren and Miles Kington sometimes triggered such mirth, and Elizabeth Fenwick is cast in their mould.  It’s a tribute to Michael O’Donnell and World Medicine that they were first published and not suppressed by job’s-worth lawyers.  And it’s high time they reached a wider audience in what must surely become a best-selling book.’

~ Martin Redfern, Science writer and former BBC Radio producer.

~ Alexander McCall Smith, author, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

Elizabeth Fenwick’s adolescent dreams of becoming a doctor began to crumble soon after she went up to Cambridge and discovered the reality of the medical course, including anatomy with real corpses, held no attraction at all. However, she did accidentally discover the perfect solution.  Marry someone who really does want to be a doctor and you get to know all the interesting bits without any of the hard work.

Elizabeth and Peter Fenwick married soon after he qualified as a neuropsychiatrist, and have now had nearly 60 years together, with three children and nine grandchildren. She has written several books on sexual problems, parenthood and childcare, and, together with her husband, on death, dying and end of life experiences. They still live in the house in south London which they bought soon after they were married but have spent most of the last Covid years in the safe haven of their Scottish holiday home.