A dazzling biography of the french literary superstar colette, who is also the subject of a major motion picture. She despised feminists and said that the only things they deserved were the. Now, in judith thurman s secrets of the flesh, colette at last has a biography worthy of her dazzling reputation. This biography attempts neither to villefy colette nor raise her to sainthood, but shows her to be very human, a real woman who became one of frances greatest writers. A life of colette ballantine readers circle 9780345371034. Judith thurman, author of the national book awardwinning biography of isak dinesen, portrays colette as a thoroughly modern woman. Early in secrets of the flesh author judith thurman tells us that her subject, colette may have invented the modern secrets of the flesh.
My fears that the secrets of the flesh title might be an indication of a salacious romp through colette s sex life were unfounded. Having spent her childhood in the shadow of an overpowering mother, colette escaped at age twenty into a turbulent marriage with the sexy, unscrupulous willy a literary charlatan who took credit for her bestselling claudine novels. Packing her books with delicious clothes and furniture and ravishingly attractive people, she delivers. In his preface to the book, willy calls her a child of nature, a tahitian before the advent of the missionaries, and he.
A life of colette was a finalist for the 1999 nonfiction national book award. She is the recipient of the 1983 national book award for nonfiction for her biography isak dinesen. A scandalously talented stage performer, a practiced seductress of both men and women, and the flamboyant author of some of the greatest works of twentiethcentury literature, colette was our first true superstar. As a longtime reader and admirer of colettes writings, i thoroughly enjoyed judith thurmans secrets of the flesh, an accounting of colettes life. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. To the internet archive community, time is running out. Now, in judith thurmans secrets of the flesh, colette at last has a biography worthy. Judith thurman born 1946 is an american writer, biographer, and critic. Secrets of the flesh a life of colette by judith thurman book cover. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. In march of 1900, a fortyoneyearold parisian man of letters published a novel that purported to be the journal of a sixteenyearold provincial schoolgirl named claudine. A life of colette has 4 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. A life of colette by judith thurman a superb literary biographer offers a satisfying life of the great french sensualist. Finalist, national book awards 1999 for nonfiction.
A life of colette from the worlds largest community of readers. Thats right, all we need is the price of a paperback book to sustain a nonprofit library the whole world depends on. Michael patrick hearn letter lauds october 17 interview on biographers jean strouse and judith thurman. Rich with delicious gossip and intimate revelations, shimmering with grace and intelligence, secrets of the flesh is one of the great biographies of our time. Chosen as one of the best books of the year by the village voice and newsday colette has been the subject of.
The picture of colette painted in secrets of the flesh is occasionally repellent, but the book whets the appetite for revisiting her work, produced over more than 60 amazingly prolific years. At present this site reflects the contents of the published radio times bbc listings. A life of colette, nominated for a national book award, is to show every one of colettes clay feet and believe us, she had more than two without reserve. Secrets of the flesh not only dissects collettes personal life but also seduces the reader into exploring her body of work. Colette attended a public school from the ages of 6 to 17. A life of colette by judith thurman 2000 if paris is the city of love, then colette sidionegabreelle colette 1873 to 1954 is the high priestess. Most influential of all was her christian namesake, her mother, sido, and through much of colettes voluminous autobiographical writing it is that figure who casts the longest, most inexorable shadow. Judith thurman a portrait of one of the worlds great writers and personalities chronicles the colorful life of colette, from her diverse marriages and affairs with both men and women to her literary success. A life of colette ballantine readers circle english edition ebook. A scandalously talented stage performer, a practiced seductres. For, as impressive as this biography is, surely no one can tell colette s story better than she herself did.
Village voice literary supplement there is a grandeur to colettes long life to which thurman, in this splendid volume, does ample justice. Literary ladies guide inspiration for readers and writers from classic women authors. Colettes twist again from the observer the guardian. Judith thurman, author of the national book awardwinning biography of isak dinesen produced thus far the most definitive english language. Secrets of the flesh, judith thurmans superb life of colette, guides the reader with great assurance through a wealth of complex material. A dazzling biography of the french literary superstar colette, who is also the subject of a. Having spent her childhood in the shadow of an overpowering mother, colette escaped at age twenty into a turbulent marriage with the sexy, unscrupulous willya literary charlatan who took credit for her bestselling claudine novels. A life of colette by judith thurman online at alibris. A fine and intelligent biography of colette, with her long tumultuous life and the great body of her work scrupulously considered and presented with style. If i had to describe the underlying approach to this biography i would sat it was psychoanalytical. Ms thurman is at her best giving her analysis of madam colette s extensive library, but the biographer cannot tell the difference from significant, or illustrative events and tittletattle. Village voice literary supplement there is a grandeur to colette s long life to which thurman, in this splendid volume, does ample justice. In may 1945, the elderly sidoniegabrielle colette, long known by her surname, became only the second woman to be inducted into frances staid but extremely prestigious acad mie goncourt.
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