"The book is gripping, and one can't help feeling that Fowles was writing-with a dogged passion, and almost inadvertently-what may come to be seen as one of the very best of his works."-"Literary Review"
"This is the first instalment of Mr Fowles's journals. As in his novels, almost every sentence has life. Bring on volume two."-"The Economist"
"[Fowles] has interesting views about other authors, can vividly evoke those he meets, and explain truthfully what he feels about them, and himself . . . He has a magnificent narrative gift."-"The Independent"
"Fowles's reputation has waned in recent years. These extraordinary diaries, 'this portrait of the total living artist', which he calls 'the last novel I have to write', should help bring about his richly deserved resuscitation."-"The Spectator"
"John Fowles wrote: 'Reading back through old diaries. Fantastic outbursts of priggishness, of vanity, of expectations. The temptation is to suppress such blemishes. But that defeats the diary.' In this respect the diary remains triumphantly undefeated . . . [Fowles's] intellectual perseverence and artistic integrity remain stubbornly impressive to the end."-"The Observer"
"Journal writing is just as compelling to Fowles as fiction, and his readers will feel the same, given Fowles' uncanny vigor, candor and discernment."---"Booklist," starred review""
"Fowles is preeminently, of course, one of the most accomplished English novelists of the last half-century, and this glimpse into his education and work is a pleasure."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Fowles is preeminently, of course, one of the most accomplished English novelists of the last half-century, and this glimpse into his education and work is a pleasure."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Journal writing is just as compelling to Fowles as fiction, and his readers will feel the same, given Fowles' uncanny vigor, candor and discernment."---"Booklist," starred review""
"This second and vinal volume takes Fowles through the years in which he published such major works as"The French Lieutenant's Woman." . . and"A Maggot." . . The contents are engrossing, evocative, revealing, and candid."
"Choice"magazine"
A major literary landmark: the second volume of one of the most extraordinary journals of our time.