Biography Books > D Biography Books

Advantages: Such a moving true story, and a happy ending
Disadvantages: upsetting

...story definitely not recommended for a light , relaxing holiday read. The book is deeply emotional and a completely compelling story. The daily emtions of this poor child are written down it this touching record of David's life. It shows just how hard abused children would find a struggles of daily life, it is a complete eye opener to the harsh reality that is child abuse. Althought i have rated this book excellent i found it difficult to read ...
...for me!) this just shows how gripping the story is. This is a must read for anyone working with children, because it makes you so aware of the nescessity of being on the look out for the tell tale signs of the horror and evil that is child abuse. ... Read review

Advantages: Eggers truly human voice commands respect - despite what sometimes, admittedly, comes across as arrogance.
Disadvantages: Perhaps a little long winded in parts. But you really have to remember that this is sincerely part of Eggers intended technique.

...Cancer and your Dad of a heart tumour. Then, as the 'responsible' sibling of three, you're the one left to bring up your 8 year old brother. What do you do next? Well, if your Dave Eggers - self confessed martyr - you sell your childhood home, take your brother to California, take as many advantages from the sympathy of others and as much cash from government organisations as you can (after all you are now "owed"), start up a failing magazine and ...
...then of course you write a book about it. AHWOSG is certainly what it says on the tin. Eggers writes from the heart and is unafraid of telling such a heart rendering story in his own way. You would never expect a tale of childhood loss and the resulting effects of social anxiety to be even remotely humorous. Yet, as Eggers is well aware, our anxieties are often masked through forms of humour. He consistently reveals his innermost pains, only to cover ... Read review

Advantages: Expertly written
Disadvantages: No chapters/sections to 'break up' the reading

I'm a student and had to read this book for an exam. I read it in 2 days and felt quite tired by the end of it. The main reason being that there are no chapters or sections, so it is basically one long detailed insight into what life was like during the Plague. However, it is very well written and there are times where the reader's emotions are 'pulled at'. The detailed descriptions of both people and places allow the reader to feel part of the drama. ...
...would not recommend this book to anyone who does not appreciate good literature as you will get easily bored and find it difficult to continue reading. However, if you like pre-18th Century Literature and enjoy a good piece of writing, i would highly recommend this old yet insightful masterpiece. ... Read review

Advantages: Very touching biography
Disadvantages: Sometimes it can get to intimadating to read

...the abuse Dave had as a child it brings tears to your eyes to think that a mother could do something so gruesome and unhuman like to their own son. I find it truly comforting that Dave can speak of his abuse, I have read quite a few biographies where the authors have been abused but Dave Pelzers biographies are by far the very best. I would seriously reccommend this book to anyone that is interested in biographies. ... Read review

Advantages: Cats, cats, more cats and the wonderful Dame Thora
Disadvantages: It´s a Longden - what could possibly be wrong with it!

...incarnation of his mother - a true original - in the TV version of his book ´Lost for Words´. Dame Thora comes across as a wonderful character in her own right, especially when she tells Deric to get on with finishing the script, as she won´t live forever! But as ever with a Longden, the cats are the stars of the book, and any cat-lover should have this on their shelf, along with the rest of his works. It is guaranteed to have you falling about laughing. ... Read review