Hilaire Belloc [Paperback]

A N Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 2003

Controversy and colour enveloped Hilaire Belloc as completely as the black cloak he habitually wore. He was quarrelsome and his literary feuds were as garguantuan as his friendships were profound and throughout his sense of humour always prevailed. Born in France, Belloc served in the French army when he was 18 and, pursuing the woman he loved, he walked to Los Angeles from New York just before going up to Oxford. He quickly made a reputation with his novels, essays and poems, but it is for his flamboyant way of living, which reads like a novel that he will be remembered. Having had full access to all the Belloc archives, A.N. Wilson gives an unprecedented view of Belloc's married life, his friendships, and the movement of mind in this biography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'One of those outstanding biographies, which have the deeper and wider resonance of a novel... a marvellous book.' Sunday Telegraph 'It is a bonus when amusing subject and amusing author coincide. This fortunate conjunction has occurred with Wilson writing with poise and pace on Belloc.' The Times

About the Author

A.N. Wilson is one of Britain's most popular writers of biography and history, and the recipient of many prizes. He writes regularly for the Telegraph and Daily Mail.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Gibson Square Books (December 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903933323
• ISBN-13: 978-1903933329
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,220,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comes Around, November 19, 2003

By 

Patrick Odaniel (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hilaire Belloc (Hardcover)

Entertaining biography by one of England's current top literary talents. What makes this book such fun is that Wilson, while enjoying most of Belloc's works, feels that Belloc isn't quite up to snuff as far as "classic" status is concerned. In other words, this is meant to be an elegant, well-turned nail in old Belloc's literary coffin. Ahhh, but Belloc was just resting and getting his second wind. As for A. N. Wilson, he does appear destined for that cold, dark place where he tried to stuff Belloc. Wilson's last book on Iris Murdoch reminds one of the pastiche biographies he lambastes in this book. It is quite delicious to see Wilson's criticisms turn on their maker. This book is great for those misanthropes who giggle at inappropriate moments.

By the bye, one really should purchase Mr. Wilson's works before they all fall out of print--they are quite well constructed, very entertainingly written, just not quite up to a certain level . . . well, you can piece together the rest.