Genet - by Edmund White (Paperback)

About the Book

A meticulously researched biography of Jean Genet, one of France's most notorious writers. Acclaimed novelist and essayist Edmund White illuminates Genet's experiences in the worlds of crime, homosexuality, politics, and high culture, and gives a compelling analysis of Genet's plays, novels, and essays. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography.

Book Synopsis

National Book Critics Circle Award Winner - A meticulously researched biography of Jean Genet, one of France's most notorious writers.

"Dazzling. Genet has found a scrupulous, meticulous chronicler in Edmund White." -- Philip Henscher, The Guardian

Acclaimed novelist and essayist Edmund White illuminates Genet's experiences in the worlds of crime, homosexuality, politics, and high culture, and gives a compelling analysis of Genet's plays, novels, and essays.

Review Quotes

'Dazzling. Genet has found a scrupulous, meticulous chronicler in Edmund White.' -- Philip Henscher, The Guardian

'An absorbing and magisterial biography...a labor of love in every sense. A comparable achievement [is] Richard Ellmann's biography of Oscar Wilde.'

-- John Bayley, The Evening Standard

'Elegant, meticulous and wholly satisfying.'

-- Brian Masters, The Sunday telegraph

'White has caught the uncatchable man -- the public Genet as well as the recluse: no better praise can be given a biographer.'

-- Paul Bailey, The Daily Telegraph

About the Author

Edmund White was born in Cincinnati in 1940. His previous books include Forgetting Elena, Nocturnes for the King of Naples, States of Desire: Travels in Gay America, A Boy's Own Story, Caracole and The Beautiful Room Is Empty. He lives in Paris.