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ajitate's review against another edition
4.0
This is a refreshing selection of novelists not necessarily reflective of any canon but John Sutherland's. If you are a bit tired of being told to read the same-old same-old this book will give you some wonderful new avenues of exploration. Ever wondered who wrote Captain Blood? Conan the Barbarian? Spartacus? What about all those women writers over the centuries who struggled against their confines to get books out? Not to mention many other books that films were based on, or 'pulp', or SF or famous crime series that are disregarded as 'second rate' by critics. Sutherland is also adept at rendering every biography entertaining in its own right, and if there is anything salacious or spicy to dig up, he will mention it (I learnt quite a few interesting things about writers I thought I knew a lot about!).
I read all of John Sutherland's critique (he's an English Professor, so knows of what he writes). His collection is wide-ranging and erudite. I was so grateful to find this hard-to-get copy secondhand, but it deserves to be more widely available to un-lock people out of reading the same narrow channel of authors and books - there's more out there if you know where to look, and this book gives some fantastic leads.
I read all of John Sutherland's critique (he's an English Professor, so knows of what he writes). His collection is wide-ranging and erudite. I was so grateful to find this hard-to-get copy secondhand, but it deserves to be more widely available to un-lock people out of reading the same narrow channel of authors and books - there's more out there if you know where to look, and this book gives some fantastic leads.
ghostmouse's review against another edition
3.0
I read this straight through until I came to the 20th century. From there, I began skimming more and more as I got closer to the present. Reading it straight through creates an interesting narrative of the progression of the novel and modern medicine. There is a span when nearly every entry either dies of tuberculosis or their loved ones die. I felt like when it came into the 20th century, perhaps because there wasn’t as much distance, the narrative of time became less compelling. Also I was surprised by some omissions, primarily Louisa May Alcott and Willa Cather, but maybe because I’m an American woman I noticed these and not others. I had checked this out expecting to use it to find authors I would like to read, but it was more compelling as a narrative than a catalogue.
cedrics_mom's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so much fun. Written by an academic and published by Yale university Press, Lives is not what I'd expected. It's dishy and gossipy, filled with fun facts that you probably didn't know about your favorite authors. This 818 page door stop dishes on well known authors from the 17th century to the 20th century. Pick this one up at your local library. Entries are typically 4-5 pages long, so you can read them between books or whenever you want a read but don't have a lot of time. I highly recommend it.
avrilhj's review
4.0
Not enough women; not enough Australians. In fact only two Australians, unless I missed one, Patrick White and Peter Carey. But despite that, I really enjoyed reading this idiosyncratic collection. The only problem is that now I have many, many books I want to read.
ele_b's review against another edition
2.0
I'm pretty sure there was more to these authors than there love lives.....
(also, the information on Percy Bysshe Shelley seems to have been written more out of spite than of factual historical information - Sutherland obviously did not like him that much.)
(also, the information on Percy Bysshe Shelley seems to have been written more out of spite than of factual historical information - Sutherland obviously did not like him that much.)
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Sutherland's personal selection of 294 novelists undoubtedly leaves people asking questions like - where is Byatt, Carter, and Pratchett. Sutherland, however, points out this is his list. And you know what - he does a rather impressive job including non-canon writers, in particular many women writers outside of the standard big ones of Austen, Brontes, Elliot, and so on. Quite frankly, he should get some major props for including writers of popular fiction. He includes VC Andrews. How many women read her (or him) as young girls?
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
4.0
The title makes this book unapproachable. At 818 pages, its length makes this book unapproachable.
Don’t let these things stop you from reading this book. It has to be the most readable book about authors I’ve ever read. You are certain to find some of your favorites. (Caution: Don’t be surprised if you don’t find all your favorites, and if you see lots of authors included that aren’t familiar to you, though.) A worthy read.
Don’t let these things stop you from reading this book. It has to be the most readable book about authors I’ve ever read. You are certain to find some of your favorites. (Caution: Don’t be surprised if you don’t find all your favorites, and if you see lots of authors included that aren’t familiar to you, though.) A worthy read.
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