The Invention of Angela Carter: A Biography

(Paperback)

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The much-anticipated, first full authorised biography of one of the greatest, most imaginative writers of the twentieth century WINNER OF THE SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD NBCC AWARD FINALIST WINNER OF THE 2017 SLIGHTLY FOXED BEST FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE Selected as a Book of the Year 2016 in The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Financial Times, Spectator and Observer Angela Carter's life was as unconventional as anything in her fiction. Through her fearlessly original and inventive books, including The Bloody Chamber and Nights at the Circus, she became an icon to a generation and one of the most acclaimed English writers of the last hundred years. This is her first full and authorised biography. Edmund Gordon uncovers Carter's life story - from a young woman trying to write in a tiny bedsit in Tokyo, to one of the most important and daring writers of her day. From a life full of adventure sprang work so fantastic, dazzling and seductive that it permanently changed and reinvigorated British literature. This is the story of how Angela Carter invented herself. 'An exemplary piece of work... Everyone should read it' Spectator

Reviews

Splendidthis is an exemplary piece of workwhich will satisfy readers, and on which further investigation can rest with great confidence that nothing has been concealed and no pathway has been neglected. Everyone should read it. -- Philip Hensher * Spectator *
[A] gripping biography, brimming with new material He has undertaken feats of scholarship and written an admirably clearsighted book Gordons achievement, however, is tremendous. From baroque entanglements of material and controversy, he brings living contours into view A quarter century on, this new biography should renew our readerly appetites for Carter. -- Alexandra Harris * Financial Times *
This fascinating, highly readable biography will be extremely hard to beat. -- Christina Patterson * Sunday Times *
[It] glints with well-placed detail and witty apercus, and it pays proper attention to what matters most, Angela Carters writing Lets hope that this thoughtful and engaging biography will introduce a generation of new readers to her work. -- Lucy Hughes-Hallett * Literary Review *
[An] astute biography Edmund Gordon has done an industrious and intelligent job. -- DJ Taylor * The Times *

Author Bio

Edmund Gordon writes for a wide variety of publications, including the Guardian, Observer, London Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement, and Sunday Times. In 2012 he received a Jerwood Award for non-fiction from the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in London, and teaches literature and creative writing at King's College London. This is his first book.