Author, author

Összefoglaló

Author, Author, like Colm Toibin's The Master, tells of a particular period of Henry James' life. David Lodge's novel takes place in the last twenty years of the 19th century when James' fortunes were at their lowest, culminating in his largest debacle, the opening and closing of his play Guy Domville. At the center of the novel is his friendship with the writer George Du Maurier, who provides James with the story behind Trilby. When James passes on using it for the basis of a novel, Du Maurier writes it instead and it becomes a bestseller. Du Maurier, however, has difficulty coping with success while James decides he must try harder to achieve it. David Lodge brings to life a great writer and Author, Author has received positive reviews. The Telegraph says, "Author, Author is a poignant, magnificently shaped expression of affection for a great writer who was also a great human being. In its low-key way it is also, following James's example, an experimental novel. The experiment is a grand success."