Booking Through Thursday
Suggested by Simon Thomas:
Have you ever been put off an author’s books after reading a biography of them? Or the reverse - a biography has made you love an author more?
I don't think I've read any biographies on authors, not that I remember. I am looking forward to reading Elizabeth Gaskell's biography on Charlotte Bronte though (The Life of Charlotte Bronte
Not a biography, but a fictional work based on an author's life is Daphne by Justine Picardie (my review). Daphne is about Daphne DuMaurier's obsession with Branwell Bronte. She had an interesting but sad life marked with the mental illness of herself, her husband and many family members. She had some big names in her family and the book makes references to J.M. Barrie. He doesn't come out so well in the book. It made me look at the author of Peter Pan a lot differently- and not in a good way. As for Daphne, it made me want to read everything she's ever written, including her biography of Branwell: Infernal World Of Branwell Bronte
Edit: I did read a few Mary Shelley biographies for a university report. She had a fascinating life. I felt quite sorry for her.
I read biographies for their own sake. Not for some book..
ReplyDeleteHere is my BTT post!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I love Daphne Du Maurier and she is a fascinating person. The biography just showed that she sometimes liked to play with people's emotions just to see what kind of reaction she would get. In a way though I'm sure this kind of cruel research added to her writing!
ReplyDeleteI have never read an author's biography. Happy Booking Through Thursday!
ReplyDeleteIf I've read an author's biography, it's been long enough that I've forgotten, although I have a bio of P. G. Wodehouse that I need to read. And, one of J. M. Barrie. He did sound rather creepy.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm really different! I love biographies -- and I've read many about some of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read about Barrie...
ReplyDeletemy post is here.
The Elizabeth Gaskell book is one I've always wanted to read too. Maybe I'll get to it someday. Same with anything about Mary Shelley. Oh, how to fit it all in!
ReplyDeleteI love author's biographies. I usually start with just the story, and maybe the biographical blurb on the back cover. But sometimes after I have read and enjoyed several books by one author, I like to read more about them, figuring their own life story goes into the stories they write. Often it enhances my reading of their work.
ReplyDeleteIf Neverland is any indication of Barrie's life, I was disappointed in him.
I guess bio's are like sci-fi.... you have to like them to like them.
ReplyDeleteDot- I can see that! Her books all have that psychological torture to them.
ReplyDeleteBookfool- He sounds nasty! Still, I'm not going to stop my girl from watching Peter Pan.
Beth- I'm starting to get a taste for them.
Barbara- If any of it is true, he's not someone who'd have over for tea!
I'm not into biographies , just love a good story!
ReplyDeleteThe truth is, at least for me, knowing the life of an author might incline me to read more of the works. Knowing is key to understand the authorial meaning in fiction. After all, author is a life, reading an author is just getting to know the life.
ReplyDeleteI love biographies and I always read the author's bio first. I think especially with biographies it's good to know the author's life history. You can better understand the slant they choose to put forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog :)
Have a Happy Day!
I read a wonderful biography of Charlotte Bronte (the name is escaping me at the moment). It gave me a lot more insight into her work. The whole Bronte Clan is an interesting group to read about.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment about my bag insert. I love your Etsy stuff, the bookmarks are lovely. I'm going to check out Booking through Thursday.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'd love to read a biography of Daphne du Maurier!
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