Autobiopsy

by Bernice Rubens

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Bernice Rubens was born in Cardiff, Wales in July 1928. She began writing at the age of 35, when her children started nursery school. Her second novel, Madame Sousatzka (1962), was filmed by John Schlesinger filmed with Shirley MacLaine in the leading role in 1988. Her fourth novel, The Elected Member, won the 1970 Booker prize. She was shortlisted for the same prize again in 1978 for A Five Year Sentence. Her last novel, The Sergeants’ Tale, was published in 2003. She was an honorary vice-president of International PEN and served as a Booker judge in 1986. Bernice Rubens died in 2004 aged 76.

Reviews

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read, entertaining, concisely written novel with two closely related story threads. Walter Berry, a great novelist, has died. His close friend, Martin Peabody, is also a novelist. Martin is having writers block issues and takes the opportunity to pick the brains of Walter Berry, to write a new novel. Martin’s story is one of the story lines, involving a character named ‘Walter Berry’, who becomes a successful novelist.

The other story line is about Martin’s life, his relationship to his mother and father, the dead Walter Berry’s widow Christina and her daughter, Amanda.

The idea of Martin literally secretly sucking out the brains from Walter’s head is a bit daft, however once I was passed this event, the two story threads held my interest.

Bernice Rubens fans should find this book a satisfying reading experience. I have now read five of her novels and look forward to reading her other novels.

This book was first published in 1993.

[John Newcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most famous novelist in the world dies, so one of his colleagues steals his brain from his corpse so he can syphon off his thoughts to write his own novel (as you do). Funny and sometimes in the worse possible taste, its novels like these that demand thst Bernice Rubens is recognised as Wales' premier 20th Century novelist.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like the fact that in Good Reads I don't have to say that it was well written etc when rating - because I am sure this book would be classed as superbly written. The only thing is it is the angst ridden stuff I hate. Got through it as the characters are strong if dislikeable. Re-emphasises my preference for older books.