Skip to main content

Book Review: Book of Forgotten Authors by Christopher Fowler

* I have received this book for review from the publisher but this in no way affects my review *

The Book of Forgotten AuthorsTitle: Book of Forgetten Authors
Authors: Christopher Fowler 
Source: From Publisher 
Publisher: Riverrun
Rating: 4/5 stars












Book Review Summary from Goodreads:

Absence doesn't make the heart grow fonder. It makes people think you're dead. 
So begins Christopher Fowler's foray into the back catalogues and backstories of 99 authors who, once hugely popular, have all but disappeared from shelves.
We are fondly introduced to each potential rediscovery: from lost Victorian voices to the twentieth century writers who could well become the next John Williams, Hans Fallada or Lionel Davidson. Whether male or female, flash-in-the-pan or prolific, mega-seller or prize-winner - no author, it seems, can ever be fully immune from the fate of being forgotten.
These 99 journeys are punctuated by 12 short essays about faded once-favourites: including the now-vanished novels Walt Disney brought to the screen, the contemporary rivals of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie who did not stand the test of time, and the women who introduced psychological suspense many decades before it conquered the world.
This is a book about books and their authors. It is for book lovers, and is written by one who could not be a more enthusiastic, enlightening and entertaining guide.


Book Review:

When I first saw the Book of Forgotten Authors available for review I have to admit that I was interested in the cover because let's face it, it's a really pretty cover. I was, however, interested in the overall concept as I did want to discover new authors especially older ones which I definitely did. The Book of Forgotten Authors is a great read for binge reading in one go or taking it author by author but you never know, you might find a new favourite!

The book features essays of 99 authors from a variety of different genres and eras from Christopher Fowler who I had to admit was a new to me author that I had never heard of before, I would, however, love to read more from him. 

Christopher Fowler clearly knows his stuff. There is so much detail clearly put into the book and there seems to be so much care about what is written about each author. I can only imagine how much work would have gone into the book. 

The book also features many different anecdotes of the author's lives which are so interesting, it is safe to say that they had some interesting lives that have some exciting adventures. I didn't realise that being a writer could be so entertaining. 

Fowler's writing was also wonderful and it made it so easy to read and get through the stories. They are also very small and digestible which makes the whole book so much better. 

I also found so many different authors that I would love to read and would happily pick this book up again and rediscover many authors that I will hopefully get to read soon. 

The Verdict:


The Book of Forgotten Authors is a wonderful book that is perfect for those who love to read from those readers who want to find a hidden gem that might become a new favourite.

Have you read Book of Forgotten Authors? Would you like to?

See you soon, 

Amy

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Favourite Graphic Novels & Manga of 2021

As I have read a lot of books this year, I always want to give graphic novels and manga their own celebration as they often get overlooked and do make up a lot of my reading. I also find that even though I read a lot of them, it takes a lot to convince me and make it a new favourite. So here are my best... Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman  Like everyone on the internet, I too am a massive Heartstopper fan and Volume 4 is no different. I love the relationship of Nick and Charlie and the side characters also make the series. This one also explores the way that mental health can impact romance and it still does justice to the story and does not fall into cliches. I am eagerly anticipating the final volume but I don't want it to be over.  The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott by Zoe Thorogood One of the last graphic novels I read this year and the one that has the second amount of hype, The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott also leaves a lasting impression. I love a good Briti

Book Review: The Great Godden by Meg Rossoff

   * I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: The Great Godden  Author: Meg Rossoff Publisher: Bloomsbury  Source: NetGalley ( Bookshop UK |  Hive |  Goodreads  |  Storygraph ) Book Summary: Everyone talks about falling in love like it’s the most miraculous, life-changing thing in the world. Something happens, they say, and you know … That’s what happened when I met Kit Godden. I looked into his eyes and I knew. Only everyone else knew too. Everyone else felt exactly the same way. This is the story of one family, one dreamy summer – the summer when everything changes. In a holiday house by the sea, our watchful narrator sees everything, including many things they shouldn’t, as their brother and sisters, parents and older cousins fill hot days with wine and games and planning a wedding. Enter two brothers – irresistible, charming, languidly sexy Kit and surly, silent Hugo. Suddenly there’s

Mid Year Freakout Book Tag

So everyone seems to be doing this tag on Youtube this year so therefore I really wanted to do it and I've done it twice before but a long time ago. I am also finally doing this at the right time so this is good for me but I have already read over 100 books this year so there is a lot of choices to pick from!  This tag was created by ReadLikeWildFire (now Chami although the original video is no longer available for both) and  Ely Jayne . Let's get started... 1. Best book you've read this year so far? I actually have quite a few so it was hard to pick just one but one the basis that I want m ore people to read it, Deeplight by Frances Hardinge . This book is so special in the way that it deals with male characters and deafness as well as toxic friendships. I read it super quickly an highly recommend the audiobook and her writing is just amazing.  2. Best sequel you've read this year so far Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo or The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness .