Enjoying a biography
Posted by Caroline on March 21, 1998 at 21:38:28:
In response to Yes, of course, but..., written by JennieC on March 21, 1998 at 18:38:09
The dilemma which faces all biographers is whether to go for the rather contorted, detailed "just the facts ma'am" approach or give less fact and more interpretation, thus providing more entertainment, and possibly distorting the picture. I agree that Tomalin is in the second camp, and that perhaps not everything she says can be considered the last word in Jane Austen study. But she is enjoyable, provocative and graceful.She makes Dierdre le Faye (who probably is the last word, seem very stiff and dusty by comparison. Of the two ,I'd say that Tomalin is better for a first-timer who wants to remember more of JA's life after one read, and le Faye is the one to come back to again and again if you are really obsessed.
And I'm really glad that I have both!
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