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Biographies About Writers

Cover art for READING MY FATHER
NONFICTION
Released: April 19, 2011
READING MY FATHER: A MEMOIR
by Alexandra Styron
"A tender and tragic remembrance, though mainly of interest to the author's most devoted fans."
William Styron's daughter recalls her love-hate relationship with the literary lion. Read full book review >
Cover art for EVERY DAY BY THE SUN
NONFICTION
Released: March 22, 2011
EVERY DAY BY THE SUN: A MEMOIR OF THE FAULKNERS OF MISSISSIPPI
by Dean Faulkner Wells
"Part biography, part memoir, Wells' work does much to humanize the man who is often remembered only for his words. A must-read for Faulkner-philes."
Girlhood memories from Wells, William Faulkner's niece. Read full book review >
Cover art for SALINGER
NONFICTION
Released: Jan. 25, 2011
Kirkus Star SALINGER: A LIFE
by Kenneth Slawenski
"Slawenski, the creator of deadcaulfields.com, is an admirer, but this is no fanboy biography; his close study of Salinger's roots admirably redirects attention to his writing and thought instead of his self-imposed exile."
Impressively researched, sympathetic critical biography of one of the 20th century's most perplexing fiction authors. Read full book review >
Cover art for LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 2, 2010
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT: THE LIFE OF A BELOVED AUTHOR AND STORYTELLER
by Susan Cheever
"Lively and astute."
Contextual study of Louisa May Alcott's life (1832–1888) and work, from her childhood among such writers as Emerson, Fuller and Hawthorne, to the astounding literary career that afforded her a feminist independence of spirit even as she remained a caregiver to her family. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW TO LIVE
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 19, 2010
HOW TO LIVE: A LIFE OF MONTAIGNE IN ONE QUESTION AND TWENTY ATTEMPTS AT AN ANSWER
by Sarah Bakewell
"A bright, genial and generous introduction to the master's methods."
Former Wellcome Library curator Bakewell (Creative Writing/City Univ. London; The English Dane: A Life of Jorgen Jorgenson, 2005, etc.) sketches the life of essayist Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533–1592) and traces his evolving reputation. Read full book review >
Cover art for STORYTELLER
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 14, 2010
STORYTELLER: THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF ROALD DAHL
by Donald Sturrock
"Bearing lightly its torrents of references, this examination of the character and career of the iconoclastic writer is as perceptive as it is dishy and exciting."
Comprehensive, authoritative biography of Roald Dahl (1916–1990). Read full book review >