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Literary Life

Literary Life

by PosySimmonds (Author)

  • New

    Hardcover 2003

    $16.07
Synopsis

This book consists of approximately fifty 'Literary Life' cartoons which were serialised weekly every Saturday in the Guardian's Review section from November 2002 until December 2004, and two short stories, 'Murder at Matabele Mansions' and 'Cinderella'. Posy Simmonds examines the pretensions of the literary world with her customary flair for light, witty satire and social observation. Women writers suffer 'Rustic Block' after moving to the countryside, type their sexual fantasies into their laptop, and (in 'Enemies of Promise') juggle the dilemmas of feminism and motherhood. Male authors are shown suffering the ego-perils of coming into contact with the public at book signings, and complain about reviewers and 'media hoops'. Jealousies and rivalries emerge out of reading groups; struggling small booksellers have to deal with recalcitrant customers or sales reps pushing the latest celebrity book. Simmonds' penchant for literary pastiche and parody is given full rein, as in 'Murder at Matebele Mansions'. And she wickedly suggests a family's fixed smiles as a young girl explains the plot of her Harry Potter book ...Funny, insightful and beautifully drawn, Literary Life will delight fans of Gemma Bovery.

$16.07

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Quantity

Temporarily out of stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 72
 Edition: 1
 Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Published: 27 Nov 2003
ISBN 10: 0224072692
ISBN 13: 9780224072694
Book Overview: A brilliant collection of 'Literary Life' cartoons, by the author of Gemma Bovery

Media Reviews
The widespread cooing responses to Posy Simmonds last book, Gemma Bovary, cemented her role as the chattering classes' favourite cartoonist, so it is somewhat appropriate that a particularly vocal section of this fan club is represented in her new collection. At its best, her latest cartoon series, Literary Life, collected here, is masterful. The necessity to produce a cartoon about writers and the writing life once a week means the quality control isn't always kept, but most of the series ties up its themes attractively and often amusingly. Cue Jane Austen otherworldly dreaming of interviews by the 21st century press: 'To what extent would you say your writing is a substitute for sex?' and 'Colin Firth's lunchbox!! Tell us about it Jane. Big 'un or wot?!'
Author Bio
Posy Simmonds is the author of many books for adults and children, including Gemma Bovery, Lulu and the Flying Babies and Fred, the film of which was nominated for an Oscar. She has won international awards for her work, including the Grand Prix 2009 de la Critique Bande Dessine for Tamara Drewe. Both Gemma Bovery and Tamara Drewe have been made into successful feature films. She lives in London.