Jean Rhys

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An acute literary intelligence ...the reader comes to trust instinctively Angier's assessments. Jean Rhys (1890-1979) lived a life fraught with difficulties, raising questions about how someone so inept at living could excel in writing. Carole Angier addresses this paradox, revealing how Rhys drew from her own tumultuous experiences in her work. Angier's exploration uncovers the complexities of Rhys' life, including her challenging childhood, significant love affairs, three marriages, and the subsequent disasters that befell her husbands. The narrative presents these events with unsparing clarity, while also delving into the dynamics of Rhys' personality, which often influenced her experiences. Some revelations are shocking, yet Angier's compassion and understanding alleviate any dismay, demonstrating how Rhys transformed her tumultuous life into profound art. Despite Rhys' reluctance for anyone to write about her, this biography firmly establishes her legacy as a significant writer of our time. Angier's work is marked by an intensity and clarity that reflect Rhys' own style, offering a deeply intimate and powerful portrayal. Critics have hailed it as a remarkable and definitive biography, noting its thorough research and subtle, sympathetic approach.