Take a glimpse into the tumultuous lives of the world’s most well-read authors with this selection of gripping biographies for aspiring writers. From the troubled, the lonely and the ill-fated, we’re given the privilege of seeing straight into the uncensored minds of our literary greats.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Often cited as one of the greatest American memoirs, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings chronicles the beloved poet’s sexual abuse, struggles with race and class divides, teen pregnancy, and how sheer willpower and bibliophilia carried her through. It’s a testament to the importance of strong character and an open-mindedness to new ideas when writing.
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A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway’s sexy memoir of expatriate experiences in Paris is a oenophile’s dream — oh, and it also stands as one of the best peeks into Europe’s pre-WWII creative circles. Read up on his interactions with the likes of Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, and (most famously) F. Scott Fitzgerald, with whom he shared one of the most legendary road trips ever.
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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson
Influential LGBTQ author Jeanette Winterson’s real-life struggles between her Pentecostal upbringing and lesbian sexuality famously inspired the novel Oranges are Not the Only Fruit. This memoir unveils the realities behind her most famous work, which might inspire many up-and-comers to seek emotional solace in their own literature.
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Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain
Learn all about the great American wit from his own unique perspective here, which saw publication after he died and didn’t exactly care what people thought. Completely unedited and unabridged, his autobiography should sit on the shelves of every aspirant writer around, no matter their chosen medium or genre.
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Mary Shelley by Miranda Seymour
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein when she was just 18. Her life was dramatic and macabre from the beginning. This biography is a thorough look at Shelley and her work (she would go on to publish several more novels, though none as popular as Frankenstein), including previously unpublished journals and letters.
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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Not only do On Writing readers receive quite the insight into ubiquitous horror author Stephen King’s own personal mindset and process, they also learn quite a bit about the art. It’s oftentimes cited as one of the best literary autobiographies and practicums to boot, so consider it an essential read!
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One Matchless Time: A Life of William Faulkner by Jay Parini
Parini’s book about the great Southern writer delves into his personal history as well as his fictional works, giving context to Faulkner’s characters in his alternate world of Yoknapatawpha County.
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The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath
For the deepest look into the highly troubled poet’s mindset, be sure to read the uncensored journals husband Ted Hughes never touched before publication. Even readers with no desire to launch writing careers can still learn valuable lessons about the realities of mental illness (specifically, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety) and its frequent intersections with creativity.
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J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter
Because the beloved Lord of the Rings author’s family authorized this biography, readers will learn about him through family and friend interviews as well as personal notes and correspondence. Fans of literary history with or without an interest in the fantasy genre will appreciate the insight into Oxford’s legendary Inklings circle, which included his once-close companion C.S. Lewis.
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The Brontë Myth by Lucasta Miller
This biography has been described as a meta-biography, because it deconstructs the myths surrounding Charlotte (Jane Eyre), Emily (Wuthering Heights), and lesser-known sister Anne Brontë. The book focuses much more on their work as writers than on their lives as lonely women of the English moors personae. This biography gets props for subtly reinventing the genre. It’s just as much about their afterlives as it is about their lives.
Credits: Online College; Elle
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