
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Literary biography is an endlessly fascinating form, not least because of the fierce controversies that attend the question of how much of a writer's real life ought to be related to readers. Ian Hamilton, a first-rate biographer who encountering his share of adversity in writing the life of J.D. Salinger, is the perfect chronicler of such controversies in this brilliant study, first published in 1992, which charts the course of literary biography from Donne and Shakespeare to Plath and Larkin.
'Such a compelling read.' Antonia Fraser,
Times
'Lively and informative, powerfully and humorously written.' Anthony Burgess,
Observer
'Surely the funniest book ever written on the doom-laden issue of posthumous literary fame.' Jonathan Keates,
Independent
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- FOREWORD
- CHAPTER ONE : JOHN DONNE THE YOUNGER
- CHAPTER TWO : SURVIVING SHAKESPEARE
- CHAPTER THREE : BE KIND TO MY REMAINS: MARVELL, MILTON, DRYDEN
- CHAPTER FOUR : POPE’S BULLIES
- CHAPTER FIVE : BOSWELL’S COLOSSAL HOARD
- CHAPTER SIX : THE FRAILTIES OF ROBERT BURNS
- CHAPTER SEVEN : BYRON AND THE BEST OF FRIENDS
- CHAPTER EIGHT : AT THE SHELLEY SHRINE
- CHAPTER NINE : JOHN FORSTER, OF DICKENS FAME
- CHAPTER TEN : FROUDE’S CARLYLE, CARLYLE’S FROUDE
- CHAPTER ELEVEN : KEEPING HOUSE: TENNYSON AND SWINBURNE
- CHAPTER TWELVE : ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON AND HENRY JAMES
- CHAPTER THIRTEEN : REMEMBERING RUPERT BROOKE
- CHAPTER FOURTEEN : AUTHORISED LIVES: HARDY AND KIPLING
- CHAPTER FIFTEEN : JAMES JOYCE’S PATRON SAINT
- CHAPTER SIXTEEN : SYLVIA PLATH AND PHILIP LARKIN
- Index
- About the Author
- Copyright