Biographies Quote by David Cannadine
“Kitty Kelley's method, already perfected in her unauthorised and unflattering biographies of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Reagan, is to write bestsellers that take what she describes as an 'unblinking look' at their subjects - which might, of course, mean that her eyes are permanently open or permanently closed... the result is a work so bad that Britons cannot realise how fortunate they are in being unable to buy it. The great mistake with this book is not that it has been published in Britain, but that it has actually been published anywhere else.”
About This Quote
The author criticizes a biographer's style as overly invasive and resulting in a poor book that is nonetheless hard to purchase, implying a failure in both execution and market reception.
In simple terms: A biography is too intrusive and poorly written, yet still hard to buy.
Key Takeaway
Avoid invasive, low-quality biographical work.
Themes
literature
ethics
reputation
media criticism
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- publishing
- marketing
- critical review
- consumer choice
Key Concepts
biography
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a biography valuable?
- How to balance honesty with respect?
A Different Perspective
May dismiss valid critical perspectives.
![“I read so ravenously that I would read through whole categories. I was crazy about reading biographies. [...] I think biographies are very urgent to children.” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a53/joan-didion-497_biographies_i-read-so-ravenously-that-i-would-read-t_43631.jpg)
