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David Bowie, Enid Blyton and the sun machine

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( 22 ratings, 5 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
David Bowie, Enid Blyton and the Sun Machine is a unique blend of memoir and cultural commentary by Nicholas Royle. It intertwines reflections on the creative lives of David Bowie and Enid Blyton, exploring the value of art, music and literature, alongside musings on family life during the pandemic, dreams, second-hand bookshops, and unseen Bowie photographs. It also reveals previously unknown details of Blyton's personal life, notably her affair with the author’s grandmother, offering a fresh perspective on these cultural icons and the power of storytelling.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4299
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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?

This book appeals to readers interested in arts and culture, particularly those fascinated by iconic figures like David Bowie and Enid Blyton, as well as lovers of unconventional memoirs and cultural criticism. It suits individuals curious about the intersections of literature, music, and social commentary.

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A dazzling act of literary-critical rebellion, casting new light on the lives of David Bowie and Enid Blyton

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this one-of-a-kind book, novelist and academic Nicholas Royle brings together two remarkably different creative figures: Enid Blyton and David Bowie. His exploration of their lives and work delves deeply into questions about the value of art, music and literature, as well as the role of universities in society.

Blending elements of memoir and cultural commentary, Royle creates a tender and often hilarious portrait of family life during the pandemic, weaving it together with musings on dreams, second-hand bookshops and unpublished photos of Bowie taken by Stephen Finer. He also shares previously unrecorded details about Blyton's personal life, notably her love affair with Royle's grandmother.

David Bowie, Enid Blyton and the sun machine offers a singular perspective on the cultural significance of two iconic figures. In doing so, it makes a compelling case for the power of storytelling and music to shape our lives.

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?

Praised as 'bizarre, brilliant, and unlike anything you’ve ever read' by Ian Sansom of The Telegraph, this book has been described as a 'one-of-a-kind fantasia' by Alexander Larman in The Spectator. Critics acclaim its blend of literary critique and intimate memoir, highlighting its wit, invention and its illuminating look at Bowie and Blyton’s cultural significance. Naomi Booth calls it 'a dazzling act of literary-critical rebellion' that casts new light on recent cultural history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526173638

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 November 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Manchester University Press

Illustration: 8 colour illustrations, 7 black & white illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 416g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Nicholas Royle is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Sussex. He is the author of many books, including Helene Cixous: Dreamer, Realist, Analyst, Writing (2020), An English Guide to Birdwatching: A Novel (2017), Veering: A Theory of Literature (2011) and The Uncanny (2003).

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