- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd; illustrated edition edition (27 Sep 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1854798200
- ISBN-13: 978-1854798206
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 16 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
32,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > History & Criticism > Children's Literature Studies
- #8 in Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Gender Studies > Women > Writers & Writing
- #14 in Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > History & Criticism > Novels & Novelists > 20th Century
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More About the Author
Product Description
Daily Express
'What makes this book outstanding is how Smith has tracked down the sources of JK’s inspiration’
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Manchester Evening News
‘A great and inspiring story… engaging and romantic’
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a fan of the Harry Potter books, I was intrigued to read this biography, mainly as there seems to be a great deal of mythology about Rowling herself. Interestingly, the book dispels some of these myths (including her place of birth) and reveals the real person behind the headlines (and the millions).
In my opinion, the highlight of the book is the detail about Rowling's childhood, pieced together from interviews with former friends, neighbours and teachers. I also enjoyed reading about her slightly rebellious student years and - much later - her attempts to improve things for herself and her young daughter after the break-up of her marriage, through teacher training and the submission of a certain manuscript to a literary agent. Like all the best stories, this one has a fairy-tale ending and if you are a Potter fan like me, you will delight both in the final chapters and the references to events in Rowling's life which inspired parts of the Harry Potter saga.
I thought I knew quite a lot about J K Rowling, but having read this book, I realise there is more to her than the familiar rags-to-riches story of the penniless single mother.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Really a must read for anyone who consider themselves as a Harry Potter fan(and especially for someone who consider themselves as a J.K. Rowling fan, which I have to say I very much am, even more than a HP fan) this book was clearly written by a person who honours J.K. Rowling a great deal, as much as she should be. Sean Smith clearly is a fan, but that doesn't stop him from critisizing some little things, which is good. Overall he clearly thinks of JKR as a survivor, which she is.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sean Smith's brilliant biography of J.K. Rowling was a must read for me since my teenage sons, my wife and I are daffy over all things Potter. Just as with a Harry Potter book, I was saddened to find the last page come all too soon. This biography is a triumph. Smith combines a compelling subject with his clever and very readable prose to produce a book that is sure to satisfy Rowling's legion of fans at home and abroad. His tireless research and intelligent insights into connections between his subject's life and the mythology she creates in her fiction are highly credible. There are many surprises here, even for those already familiar with Rowling's amazing rise to the top of the publishing world. Smith's writing entertains without sensationalizing. Ulimately this literary jewel sparkles like J.K. Rowling eyes on the cover photograph. Smith describes her in the end as a woman who looks rich. He should know; his writing
feels rich to this reader.
feels rich to this reader.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Probably the best unauthorised biography to date...
I was a little apprehensive, at first, about purchasing this book. Other writers have written about Jo's life, but their biographies are, perhaps, summarised accounts, or contain... Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. Walton
J.K. Rowling: A Biography-
Bursted my bubble about J.K. if all the info. are correct. She is no more than a common Muggle like the rest of us afterall.
Published on 1 Dec 2009 by Simon
The first bio of Rowling..
Hmm..not that exciting and overall slightly boring, but it was obvious that the author spent a lot of time on the book. Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2001
Essential reading for all fans
This book is a great read and tells you loads of things which you didn't know about JK. I was very surprised to find that I couldn't put the book down and neither could my friend... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2001
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