The Life of Walter Scott: A Critical Biography (Blackwell Critical Biographies)

New
Paperback
1997
$44.60

John Sutherlanda s new critical biography is an undertaking of major importance in which he penetrates into the darker areas of Scotta s life in a sceptical (yet sympathetic) spirit,

Synopsis

John Sutherlanda s new critical biography is an undertaking of major importance in which he penetrates into the darker areas of Scotta s life in a sceptical (yet sympathetic) spirit,

$44.60

Quantity

Temporarily out of stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Edition: New edition
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Published: 27 Nov 1997
ISBN 10: 0631203176
ISBN 13: 9780631203179

Media Reviews

A critical study of Scott might be something to approach with trepidation, but Sutherland surprises in a lively, zestful and witty study. David McVey, The Guardian I have read only five of Scotta s novels. Sutherlanda s book persuades me there are grotesque treasures buried in all of them. Alasdair Gray, The Guardian Excellent critical, but not unfriendly, new look at his life and work. Eric Anderson, Sunday Telegraph A splendid biography: erudition and scholarship set forth with elegance and wit. N. John Hall, Distinguished Professor, City University of New York A compelling narrative, and a shrewd, unillusioned portrait of Walter Scott, in his various guises; a high point in the history of Scott studies. Karl Miller, University of London Contentious, compelling, and very readable. Scotland on Sunday Learned, exact, he writes as Scott did, for the enjoyment of the reader, and does not let his assessment of the man cloud his keen appreciation of Scotta s art. This is a finely judged and hugely absorbing biography. The Sunday Times Professor Sutherland takes us from birth to death in this engrossing volume, tracing the development of the child crippled by infantile paralysis to the successful, then penniless, author, who wrote to clear off his debts, and died a disturbed and slow death in his beloved Abbottsford in the borders. The Evening News I have read only five of Scotta s novels. Sutherlanda s book persuades me there are grotesque treasures buried in all of them. Irish Press John Sutherlanda s pithy, cynical Life of Scott is very much a biography of our time: irreverent, streetwise, set foursquare in a a real worlda in which careers achieve money and power and character is at least 51 per cent of image. Marilyn Butler, London Review of Books Any fair--minded person who reads Sutherlanda s criticism and praise should conclude that Sir Walter, warts and all, can still be regarded as Great Scott. This unflinching account is outstandingly well researched and a major contribution to an understanding of him. Rennie McOwen, The Tablet Immediate and immensely readable, The Life of Walter Scott is a masterful account that penetrates into the darker areas of Scotta s life in a sceptical (yet sympathetic) spirit... Through this account, Scott is justified as a writer to be read and understood today as much as in his heyday in the nineteenth century. Wisconsin Bookwatch Sutherland does not invite the reader to enter a gold mine recently discovered, but his work is nevertheless an impressive achievement. His hallmark as a scholar is skill in condensing a wide range of sources in his endeavour to give as complete a picture of Scott as man and writer as possible. Above all, Sutherland is a good writer who combines a lively and crisp style with critical acumen. Lars Hartveit, English Studies

Author Bio

John Sutherland is the Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College London. He is the author of Mrs Humphry Ward (1990) and The Longman Companion to Victorian Fiction (1989).