Herbert R. Lottman (1927–2014)

In her review, another Goodreads member said "There's often a whisper-thin line between a biography and a boringly-written research paper. Lottman has rubbed that line out completely." I'm not sure I have much to add except that Colette is one of my favorite writers and I've read several biographies about her. I may have learned something new from this one, the fact is that I don't remember facts well. The best thing about this book was that it coupled the events and stages of her life with what she wrote at that time. Other than that, it was poorly written and really there are better ways to learn about Colette.… (more)

I didn’t get through this huge book.

Camus was born and bred in French Algeria and was killed at the age of 47 in a car accident.

Camus’ mother Catherine was unable to read or write. His grandmother, Catherine Sintes, was a “harsh” woman who regularly used a whip on little Albert and his brother, Lucien.

I found it impressive that though his mother was illiterate Albert won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Albert’s father, Lucien Auguste Camus, died in World War I before Albert was one year old.

Albert’s wife, Simone Hié, was addicted to drugs and spent her life “in and out of private hospitals and rest homes”.

Already at a young age in school, it was seen that Albert was extremely gifted.

Camus was afflicted with tuberculosis at an early age.

If there is a fault with this biography, it is that it is filled with, in my view, superfluous details; I did not find it particularly easy to read.

The book includes many interesting photos.… (more)