Items related to Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Now a major motion picture starring Melissa McCarthy—Lee Israel’s hilarious and shocking memoir of the astonishing caper she carried on for almost two years when she forged and sold more than three hundred letters by such literary notables as Dorothy Parker, Edna Ferber, Noel Coward, and many others.
Before turning to her life of crime—running a one-woman forgery business out of a phone booth in a Greenwich Village bar and even dodging the FBI—Lee Israel had a legitimate career as an author of biographies. Her first book on Tallulah Bankhead was a New York Times bestseller, and her second, on the late journalist and reporter Dorothy Kilgallen, made a splash in the headlines.
But by 1990, almost broke and desperate to hang onto her Upper West Side studio, Lee made a bold and irreversible career change: inspired by a letter she’d received once from Katharine Hepburn, and armed with her considerable skills as a researcher and celebrity biographer, she began to forge letters in the voices of literary greats. Between 1990 and 1991, she wrote more than three hundred letters in the voices of, among others, Dorothy Parker, Louise Brooks, Edna Ferber, Lillian Hellman, and Noel Coward—and sold the forgeries to memorabilia and autograph dealers.
“Lee Israel is deft, funny, and eminently entertaining...[in her] gentle parable about the modern culture of fame, about those who worship it, those who strive for it, and those who trade in its relics” (The Associated Press). Exquisitely written, with reproductions of her marvelous forgeries, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is “a slender, sordid, and pretty damned fabulous book about her misadventures” (The New York Times Book Review).
Before turning to her life of crime—running a one-woman forgery business out of a phone booth in a Greenwich Village bar and even dodging the FBI—Lee Israel had a legitimate career as an author of biographies. Her first book on Tallulah Bankhead was a New York Times bestseller, and her second, on the late journalist and reporter Dorothy Kilgallen, made a splash in the headlines.
But by 1990, almost broke and desperate to hang onto her Upper West Side studio, Lee made a bold and irreversible career change: inspired by a letter she’d received once from Katharine Hepburn, and armed with her considerable skills as a researcher and celebrity biographer, she began to forge letters in the voices of literary greats. Between 1990 and 1991, she wrote more than three hundred letters in the voices of, among others, Dorothy Parker, Louise Brooks, Edna Ferber, Lillian Hellman, and Noel Coward—and sold the forgeries to memorabilia and autograph dealers.
“Lee Israel is deft, funny, and eminently entertaining...[in her] gentle parable about the modern culture of fame, about those who worship it, those who strive for it, and those who trade in its relics” (The Associated Press). Exquisitely written, with reproductions of her marvelous forgeries, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is “a slender, sordid, and pretty damned fabulous book about her misadventures” (The New York Times Book Review).
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Lee Israel was the author of Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Estee Lauder: Beyond the Magic, Kilgallen, and Miss Tallulah Bankhead. She also worked as a copyeditor for Scholastic and American Express Publishing. She died in 2015.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherSimon & Schuster
- Publication date2019
- ISBN 10 1982116897
- ISBN 13 9781982116897
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages144
- Rating
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # GOR009931896
Buy Used
£ 0.80
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster, United States, New York
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 9
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Now a major motion picture starring Melissa McCarthyLee Israels hilarious and shocking memoir of the astonishing caper she carried on for almost two years when she forged and sold more than three hundred letters by such literary notables as Dorothy Parker, Edna Ferber, Noel Coward, and many others. Before turning to her life of crimerunning a one-woman forgery business out of a phone booth in a Greenwich Village bar and even dodging the FBILee Israel had a legitimate career as an author of biographies. Her first book on Tallulah Bankhead was a New York Times bestseller, and her second, on the late journalist and reporter Dorothy Kilgallen, made a splash in the headlines. But by 1990, almost broke and desperate to hang onto her Upper West Side studio, Lee made a bold and irreversible career change: inspired by a letter shed received once from Katharine Hepburn, and armed with her considerable skills as a researcher and celebrity biographer, she began to forge letters in the voices of literary greats. Between 1990 and 1991, she wrote more than three hundred letters in the voices of, among others, Dorothy Parker, Louise Brooks, Edna Ferber, Lillian Hellman, and Noel Cowardand sold the forgeries to memorabilia and autograph dealers. Lee Israel is deft, funny, and eminently entertaining[in her] gentle parable about the modern culture of fame, about those who worship it, those who strive for it, and those who trade in its relics (The Associated Press). Exquisitely written, with reproductions of her marvelous forgeries, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a slender, sordid, and pretty damned fabulous book about her misadventures (The New York Times Book Review). The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR009657244
Buy Used
£ 0.90
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00068345136
Buy Used
£ 7.83
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0005175317
Buy Used
£ 2.88
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me? : Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster, Limited
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 4
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. UK. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 37048474-20
Buy Used
£ 4.46
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me? : Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster, Limited
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. UK. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 39306432-20
Buy Used
£ 4.46
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Book is in Used-Good condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain limited notes and highlighting. Seller Inventory # 1982116897-2-4
Buy Used
£ 12.51
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9781982116897
Buy Used
£ 8.62
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon and Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 3
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # 3523517
Buy Used
£ 3.35
Convert currency
Stock Image
Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger
Published by
Simon and Schuster
(2019)
ISBN 10: 1982116897
ISBN 13: 9781982116897
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 4
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 2879544
Buy Used
£ 3.29
Convert currency