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An Angel At My Table
The Complete Autobiography
Series: Virago Modern Classics
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,513 ratings, 173 reviews)
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
The acclaimed autobiography of one of New Zealand's best-loved writers. Introduced by Jane Campion, who made it into a prize-winning film.
*review coverage *featured on the Virago website
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Description
An Angel at My Table by Janet Frame is a poignant and compelling autobiography that traces the extraordinary journey of one of New Zealand's most acclaimed authors. The narrative begins with her enchanting childhood, unfolding the wonders and curiosities of her early years. As Frame grows, she faces the dark and harrowing experiences of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, resulting in her spending several years in psychiatric institutions. Her story is one of profound resilience and triumph, capturing her escape from a nearly irreversible fate when she narrowly avoids a lobotomy after winning a national literary prize.
This autobiography is a testament to Frame's indomitable spirit and the transformative power of writing. As she often reflects in her memoir, "my writing saved me," underscoring the essential role that her craft played in her survival and success.
In this edition, readers are treated to all three volumes of Frame's autobiography: To the Is-Land, An Angel at My Table, and An Envoy from Mirror City. Each volume offers unique insights into different stages of her life, painting a rich and comprehensive portrait of her experiences, struggles, and triumphs.
βJanet Frame's luminous words are the more precious because they were snatched from the jaws of the disaster of her early life. It is one of the classics of autobiography. She knew that a writer must search her soul in order to say anything that is essential.β β Hilary Mantel
βOne of the great autobiographies of the twentieth century ... A journey from luminous childhood, through the dark experiences of supposed madness, to the renewal of her life through writing fiction. It is a heroic story, and told with such engaging tone, humorous perspective, and imaginative power.β β Michael Holroyd, Sunday Times
βOne of the most beautiful and moving books I have ever read ... A masterpiece ... Janet's autobiography had an enormous effect on me. She struck a blow right to my heart.β β Jane Campion
Janet Frame's autobiographical trilogy is celebrated for its emotive power, remarkable honesty, and the profound literary quality that has influenced countless readers and writers. Her story is not just an account of personal survival but also an exploration of the healing potential of literature and creativity.Series: Virago Modern Classics
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An Angel At My Table
An Angel at My Table by Janet Frame is a poignant and compelling autobiography that traces the extraordinary journey of one of New Zealand's most acclaimed authors. The narrative begins with her enchanting childhood, unfolding the wonders and curiosities of her early years. As Frame grows, she faces the dark and harrowing experiences of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, resulting in...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
An Angel At My Table is lauded as one of the greatest autobiographies of the 20th century. Reviewers praise its journey from a luminous childhood through dark experiences of mistaken madness to her renewal through writing. The book is described as engaging, humorous, imaginative, and inspiring, striking a deep emotional chord with readers.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781844086238
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 March 2010
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Virago Press Ltd
Contributors:
- Introduction by Jane Campion
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 36.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 370g
Pages: 544
About the Author
Janet Frame (1924-2004) is New Zealand's most famous writer. She was a novelist, poet, essayist and short-story writer. Her autobiography inspired Jane Campion's acclaimed film, 'An Angel at My Table'. She was an honorary foreign member of the American Academy of Arts and Literature and won the Commonwealth Literature Prize. In 1983 she was awarded the CBE.
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The Edge of the Alphabet
The Edge of the Alphabet by Janet Frame is a poignant exploration of identity, alienation, and the quest for meaning. The novel opens with Toby Withers, a young man with epilepsy, who finds himself adrift after the death of his mother. Determined to start anew, he departs from New Zealand, embarking on a ship bound for England. Onboard, he encounters...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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In the Memorial Room is a brilliant black comedy by the celebrated author of An Angel at My Table. Harry Gill, a moderately successful writer of historical fiction, has been awarded the annual Watercress-Armstrong Fellowshipβa 'living memorial' to the poet Margaret Rose Hurndell. He arrives in the French Riviera town of Menton, where Hurndell once lived and worked, to write....Paperback$1799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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Janet Frame's luminous words are the more precious because they were snatched from the jaws of the disaster of her early life. It is one of the classics of autobiography. She knew that a writer must search her soul in order to say anything that is essential β Hilary Mantel Janet Frame is the greatest New Zealand writer. She is...PaperbackSold Out
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