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A Man of Parts |
A (barely) fictionalised biography of H G Wells, ardent and prolific writer and enthusiastic womaniser. I found his early life and struggle against difficult odds to exploit his exceptional intelligence and writing talents more interesting than his string of affairs with most of the avant-garde women of literary society. It must be said that H.G. is, despite Lodge's persuasive and erudite efforts, still slightly out-of–date. Very enjoyable, if a bit longwinded.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 81 Summer 2016) |
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Author, Author |
An ingenious fictionalised biography of Henry James in which the author tells the story of the novelist's unsuccessful attempt to prop up his finances by launching out into writing plays for the London stage. Much research must have been involved in producing this convincing picture of the background with its portrayal of contemporary figures such as Du Maurier of Trilby fame. Good on James's celibate bachelor existence and the servants who looked after him.
(Jeremy Swann - bwl 29 April 2005) |
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Author, Author |
The much admired Henry James, worried by low book sales, ventured into the world of theatre; this book describes the shattering fiasco of his first play. The literary and social milieu of late 19th century London is the backdrop to the in-depth analysis of the tensions inherent in a writer's life: artistic values v. commercial success, friendship v. rivalry; the price of fame and of obscurity. This difficult author comes to life in the fictional elements of this absorbing biographical novel.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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Deaf Sentence |
The narrator in this novel based on Lodge's own life is a recently retired linguistics professor of an English university with an elderly father and a wife who has an interior design shop. His life is complicated by a young American woman student preparing a thesis who asks for his help. The practical problems of deafness, aging and old age are described with insight and understanding and at times made the subject of comedy. Good stuff!
(Jeremy Swann - bwl 48 November 2008) |
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Paradise News |
Remarkably thought-provoking as well as funny. God is well and truly dead but the baby survives the emptying out of the bathwater. My mixed metaphor isn't meant as a deliberate challenge!
(Murray Jackson - bwl 2 March 2000) |
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The Year of Henry James: The story of a novel |
Has any other writer - after publishing what he thinks is an original slant on a famous author - discovered that two other books are being published on the same subject? It happened to Lodge in 2004. This bombshell inspired him to trace the history of 'Author, Author' from conception to publication, pondering the mystery and anguish of this coincidence or call it 'Zeigeist'. His new book completes and strengthens the former in a remarkable way, exponentially augmenting his artistry.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 82 Autumn 2016) |
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Thinks |
The principal setting for this ingenious novel is the imaginary University of Gloucester (UK) and the protagonists the philandering head of the Centre for Cognitive Sciences and a recently widowed woman novelist temporarily resident and teaching creative writing. Will she, won't she succumb to his advances? Much wit as well as speculation into the nature and workings of human consciousness. An entertaining and highly readable satire on contemporary British academia.
(Jeremy Swann - bwl 13 April 2002) |
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