Super Short Summary

Midnight Oil by V. S. Pritchett, a memoir and sequel to A Cab at the Door, covers his early literary career from 1921 onward, starting with his move to Paris and subsequent work as a shop assistant. He then works as a foreign correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor in Ireland and Spain, where he develops his literary purpose. His journey continues with a rise through the ranks at The New Statesman, the publication of early works like Marching Spain and Clare Drummer, and achieving success with his short story collection, The Spanish Virgin and Other Stories. His personal life includes an unhappy marriage to Evelyn Vigors, leading to a divorce, and a fulfilling subsequent marriage to Dorothy Rudge Roberts. The memoir also addresses his complex relationships with his aging parents and his professional contributions during World War II and his teaching career in the United States.