Betjeman
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Review
"Wilson's forte is the character, and he brilliantly conveys Betjeman's odd mixture of introspection and sociability, gaiety and melancholia, exhibitionism and self-disgust."
-"Daily Telegraph"
-"Daily Telegraph"
Lynn Barber, Daily Telegraph
'Betjeman is a poet who badly needs saving from his soppier fans,
and this Wilson has done.' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
and this Wilson has done.' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
AN Wilson succeeds where Bevis Hillier failed by producing a compact, balanced, but still affectionate portrait of Britain's favourite post war poet. Wilson is very good on the marital threesome, sympathetic to both Penelope and Elizabeth. He also deals well with Betjeman's guilt, religious angst and fear of death. Happily the book does not dwell on Betj's TV and radio work, which was always a distraction, but focuses instead, properly in my view, on his poetry and his life as a poet. You may disagree with Wilson's choice of Betjeman's 30 best poems, but he succeeds in catapulting the reader back to old laureate's work, which is surely a mark of a great biography. Add to that AN Wilson splendid prose, little asides and occasional barbs and you have a marvellous, absorbing read in prospect. Anyone even remotely interested in Betjeman should have this on their shelves.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a great buy by any standard. The hardback edition was well bound and the whole production was from another age. The book did not have collections of drawings and photographs poorely bound in clusters ready to fall out with use. The images were on the pages that you are reading and make reading the text doubly pleasurable. In fact the text is scattered with many little "thumbnail sketches" by JB. Even the paper and typography is above usual standards. A pleasure to open and read. But there is so much more to come. The text is written with real affection for JB and that brings him to life ,faults and all, in a way that other biographies have not quite acheived for me. A lovely book and one I would suggest as an essential addition to any bookshelf that has JB`s work on it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm listening to the audio version of this on CD in the car at the moment and it's both enjoyable and informative. I find the discussions of his infidelities and the factors behind him, and the religious tensions fascinating, despite being an atheist. This is a book that won't just appeal to the Betjeman "luvvies" but to those interested in poetry and a complex if sometimes selfish and narcissistic man.
The only thing I dislike about the audio book is the accent the reader gives to his wife Penelope. I find it hard to believe a field marshall's daughter really sounded like an intoxicated Clarrie from the Archers.
The only thing I dislike about the audio book is the accent the reader gives to his wife Penelope. I find it hard to believe a field marshall's daughter really sounded like an intoxicated Clarrie from the Archers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Beguiling Biography.
It was particularly interesting coming to the Betjeman biography having just completed Philip Larkin's "Letters to Monica". Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bluecashmere.
A.N. Wilson's tin ear
This is a dismayingly boring book organised around the trivia of Betjeman's life: all ink and no octopus. Read more
Published 6 months ago by NIP MacKinnon
Best Betjeman Biog
A hefty tome, well written and highly informative.
I'd say this is a MUST for those who still adore this chap's writings, his verse, and his personality. Read more
I'd say this is a MUST for those who still adore this chap's writings, his verse, and his personality. Read more
Published 11 months ago by CroydonBoy
Betjeman betrayed
We love Betjeman for his humour, his enthusiasms and his lecherous affections. Whilst acknowledging all three, this biography simply fails to make you feel them. Read more
Published on 26 April 2010 by Ignorant Bystander
A Life written byA N Wilson
I was at a lecture/talk given by John Vigar at a NADFAS meeting on "Britain with Betjeman" and asked him if he would recommend a book on Betjeman's life. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2010 by Mrs. H. E. Stanmore
Vividly recaptured - the life of an endearing and infuriating man
By the time I'd finished this biography, it was difficult to know whether to like Betjeman or not. He was clearly a gifted poet, a man of (very Anglican) faith, and a passionate... Read more
Published on 25 April 2009 by Jeremy Bevan
A required possession
I feel this fine book works well in two differing respects; as an easily-read biography and as a companion to and a commentary upon Betjeman's earlier life as chronicled in... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2009 by Dermot Elworthy
A revealing book
A concise and well constructed biography which adds much to the Betjeman story and should really be read alongside Bevis Hillier's authorised version. Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2008 by a reader from Dorset
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