BIOGRAPHY: The Craft and the Calling

by Catherine Drinker Bowen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 4, 1968

Third in Mrs. Bowen's explications of the art of biography--and a pleasant excursion it is. Undoubtedly gleaned from lectures, these new-and-second thoughts have the warm, informal ""confessional"" quality of a congenial tutorial session. Although extolling the better products of her peers, the gentle Mrs. Bowen does cast a sour glace askance occasionally. (""Miss Sitwell, a splendid poet, should have known better."") As for inspiration: "". . . if a person has it he will know it and if he has not he will not miss it."" The discussion of tools and techniques will surely aid students--shaping, the ""perils"" of research, utilizing quotes, scenes and flashbacks, and the insidious hazards of hinting at the inner life of historical characters, etc. However, the general reader will enjoy Mrs. Bowen effervescing about her subjects, from Adams to Tschaikovsky. Rather in the leghorn hat school of lady authoring, but informative and likable all the same.

Pub Date: Feb. 4, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION