Writer's Luck: A Memoir: 1976-1991

Description

David Lodge's frank and illuminating memoir about the years where he found great success as a novelist and critic. 'A wonderfully candid and insightful account of a writer's life' William Boyd Luck, good or bad, plays an important part in a writer's career. In 1976 Lodge was pursuing a 'twin-track career' as novelist and academic but the balancing act was increasingly difficult, and he became a full-time writer just before he published his bestselling novel Nice Work. Readers of Lodge's novels will be fascinated by the insights this book gives - not only into his professional career but also more personal experience, such as his growing scepticism of his Catholic religion and the challenges of parenting. Anyone who is interested in learning about the creative process and about the life of a writer will find Writer's Luck a candid and entertaining guide.

David Lodge (CBE)'s novels include Changing Places, Small World and Nice Work (shortlisted for the Booker) and, most recently, A Man of Parts. He has also written plays and screenplays, and several books of literary criticism. His works have been translated into more than thirty languages. He is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Birmingham, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and is a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

A wonderfully candid and insightful account of a writer's life: astute, unpretentious and humane. -- William Boyd A vivid picture of a lost world. -- Matthew Reisz * Times Higher Education * One of the greatest storytellers in existence and a master of suspense... [Lodge] combines an analytical, scientific way of looking at life...with a vivid, poetic imagination... a uniquely honest record of a successful English novelist's life. There is more truth about the literary life in this book than you will find in a thousand doctoral theses, or a million promotional interviews with famous writers. Or most memoirs. It is a true gem -- Eilis Ni Dhuibhne * Irish Times * Irresistible... One of the fascinations of the memoir is the variety of critical techniques that are shown... this fleshed-out diary is curiously addictive -- Marina Vaizey * The Arts Desk * An absorbing account... endearing, and...revealing... at no point...has [Lodge] betrayed his roots by giving in to the temptations of literary grandeur... authentic -- James Walton * Financial Times *