I’ve been reading David lodge’s novels and insightful essays for decades. Lives in Writing is Lodge’s latest book of literary articles with an emphasis on biography. Lodge seems to be taking the measure of the writers who most affected him over a life-time of reading. Lodge is a careful reader. When reviewing Norman Sherry’s 900-page third volume of Graham Greene’s biography, Lodge notes that the first volume was the best, the second volume was acceptable, but third volume was a mess. And then Lodge goes on to tell you why–in detail. If you’re a fan of intelligent, literary essays written for the Common Reader Lodge’s Lives of Writing will provide hours of insight and delight. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
The Late Graham Greene
The Rise and Fall and Rise and Fall of Kingsley Amis
A Tricky Undertaking: The Biography of Muriel Spark
John Boorman’s Quest
Alan Bennent’s Serial Autobiography
The Greene Man Within
Simon Gray’s Diaries
Terry Eagleton’s Goodbye to All That
Frank Remembered–By a Kermodian
Malcolm Bradbury: Writer and Friend
The Death of Diana
Trollope’s Fixed Period
Writing H. G. Wells
I loved his books about academics and several since then. I will look for this immediately.
Patti, I liked the chapters on Graham Greene and Kingsley Amis a lot. Lodge is always worth reading.
Ditto. I like Lodge’s academic books as well.
Jeff, Lodge is an underrated writer. He’s academic books capture the current state of university life accurately.
What does he say about the death of Diana?
Bob, he’s on the side of conspiracy. Me, too.