Myself and the Other Fellow: A Life of Robert Lewis Stevenson - Softcover

Harman, Claire

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060935251 ISBN 13: 9780060935252

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2006

Synopsis

He thrilled readers the world over with breathtaking tales of pirates (Treasure Island) and monsters (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). But the short life of writer Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) was as adventurous as almost anything in his fiction. He was both engineer and aesthete, Covenanter and atheist, dutiful son and reckless lover. His travels, illnesses, creative struggles, volatile relationships, and titanic quarrels were the stuff of legend.

Until now, no biography has done justice to the complex, brilliant, and troubled man who was responsible for so many remarkable literary creations, the least "Victorian" of Victorian writers. Claire Harman's Myself & the Other Fellow is a fascinating portrait of a man of humor, resilience, and strongly unconventional views, the most authoritative, comprehensive, and perceptive biography of Robert Louis Stevenson to date.

About this title

Product Description:

Paperback. Pub Date: October 2006 Pages: 544 in Publisher: the Harper Collins He thrilled readers the world over with eathtaking tales of pirates (Treasure Island) and monsters (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) But the short life of writer Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) was as adventurous as almost anything in his fiction. He was both engineer and aesthete. Covenanter and atheist. dutiful son and reckless lover. His travels. illnesses. creative struggles. volatile relationships. and titanic quarrels were the stuff of legend. Until now. no biography has done justice to the complex. illiant. and troubled man who was responsible for so many remarkable literary creations. the least Victorian of Victorian writers. Claire Harman's Myself & the Other Fellow is a fascinating portrait of a man of humor. resilience. and strongly unconventional views. the most authoritati...

Review:

"Everything a literary biography ought to be." -- Charlotte Observer

"[A] shrewd and sparkling biography." -- New York Times Book Review

"[A] complex portrait...Harman's kaleidoscopic light suits a man whose personality seemed in a state of constant flux."--The Economist

"A delight from start to finish. [Harman] is steeped in Stevenson and can match his swift, vivid style."--John Carey, Sunday Times (London)

"Well researched . . . [Harman's] readings of RLS's literary prose are critically strong."--BookForum

"Knowledgeable, vastly detailed biography... Harman lucidly analyzes Stevenson's immense variety of writings and his even greater variety of unfinished projects."--Boston Sunday Globe

"[A] shrewd and sparkling biography."--New York Times Book Review

"Harman's narrative is full, rich, intelligent, and smooth...and is a continuous pleasure to read . . . Uncommonly good."--Literary Review

"Claire Harman's judicious, witty and insightful life is as gratifying as it is poignant."--Washington Post Book World

"An engaging look at the life and writings of a complex and contradictory fellow... rendered with honesty, integrity and humor."--Kirkus Reviews, starred

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060935251
• ISBN 13: 9780060935252
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 544