The Semi-Invisible Man: A Life of Norman Lewis

by Julian Evans

A view of the fascinating life of travel writer Norman Lewis who, due to literary snobbery towards travel writers, was perhaps the best “not famous” writer of his generation. Julian Evans has written a biography that will send readers hurrying to the books of an overlooked master.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, British Literature, Travel

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2008

Reviews

[Simon Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SINGULAR BIOGRAPHY OF A SINGULAR MAN

I first came across Norman Lewis's work just over ten years ago, looking for something a little different in the local library, I came across a tatty copy of his book "Naples '44" and somehow or other (not the cover, it was an early Eland paperback edition fronted with just text) I picked it up. Returning home I made a cuppa, rolled a fag settled back and was quietly stunned by the quality of the vivid, shrewd, observational writing. This was something special and as far as N.Lewis non-fiction went I have read everything available since with great joy.

Ten years later - I notice someone has writing a biog of N.Lewis, some fellow called Julian Evans (never heard of him) and it suddenly struck me how little I actually knew about N.Lewis life. Having been credit crunched I had to restrain myself until the paperback edition came out, fortified by memories of reading awful biogs of good writers in the past.

I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon, and waited expectantly for it to arrive, which it eventually did two weeks after the publication date. Not Amazons fault, but rather the local Royal Mail seem to be returning to pre-industrial work rhythms; somehow appropriate given the subject of the book.

Again I settled back, and started Semi-Invisible Man with some trepedation which turned out to be entirely unwarranted. Julian Evans captures Norman Lewis's singularly strange life marvelously, it is neither a hatchet job nor hagiography but a serious, sympathetic look at one of Britains best twentieth century writers. It fills in the blanks in Lewis's fascinating but far from comprehensive autobiographical writings; puts things into order (as far as it is possible when one considers Lewis's full and somewhat complex life), places him in the context of his family life (which I didnt know the half of), the publishing world, his business world (which I knew nothing of) and his many other pursuits.

Lewis comes across as an occasionally prickly, but essentially humane man. There is plenty in the book to laugh with and occasionally to make your eyes moisten, as well as spade loads of intelligent insight into Lewis's character which is suitably restrained and in no way overbearing. It also made me think of reading his fiction works, and Evans book provides a good background to them. I had somehow gained the impression that he wrote his fiction to fund his travels (possibly their covers which give off the impression of popular thrillers), but it is clear that Lewis for long periods of his life considered fiction his main ambition. Lewis's main achievement was bringing to light the plight of indigenous peoples across the globe which Evans covers well.

In short if you have read Norman Lewis already this is essential, if you haven't buy it any way - his is a life worth knowing in itself, and I'm sure Evans's book will stimulate an appetite to read the mans many fantastic works. Excellent.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography must stand with the best. Julian Evans is a very good writer. Norman Lewis was a fascinating multi-talented man, a writer admired during his life by great writers like Graham Greene, but wider public appreciating eluded him.
I'll have to re-read Naples '44: A World War II Diary of Occupied Italy having now learned more about Norman Lewis. This biography has added quite a few Norman Lewis titles to the TRL.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

700 plus pages, a good book to deal with musings on the accuracy of biography and autobiography, cos here was a guy who constantly reinvented his past for literary effect. He still lived an impressive life, and this book documents it fairly, yet also critically and for me, even handedly.

I enjoyed Jackdaw Cake - it is actually very good, and also The World The World, and the one about going to Burma. I have no interest yet in reading any of his novels, and the biography only adds to that, but for his other stuff, travel, memoir, narrative, he is great and well worth reading - so i was delighted when this book came out, and pleased too to find out that it was a good read. Comparable to Nicholas Shakespeares biography of Bruce Chatwin which I also enjoyed.

[Esther Ratcliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book painted a delicate picture of Lewis' life. Backed up with tons of his own writing, and diary entries makes this a fascinating read. If you like everything about Norman Lewis,you'll like this.

[Leo W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extraordinary life; the biography a delight to read.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating biography of the best "not-famous writer of his generation." I became interested in learning more about Lewis after thoroughly enjoying his masterpiece "Naples '44" and look forward to working my way through the other books of his that are now on my shelf.

[Les Dangerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography, perhaps over-kind to Lewis, hence the 4, which should be a 4.5.

[Jane Routley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit too detailed and yet compelling.

[Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are as much a fan of Norman Lewis as I am, this book is well worth your time. My only complaint is the length and the sometime lists and minutiae that a good editor would, IMO, have cut. The author first met Lewis when he was editing his books for publication, so it puzzled me that he would use 12 adjectives and adverbs when 2 would have been sufficient and more effective. It would have been the sharper and more distinct portrait that Norman Lewis deserved.