Literary biography is dead, long since in fact. Biographical works of literary figures are becoming a vogue. Arthur and George and the recent Tolstoy film biopic will be joined by David Lodge’s A Man of Parts. This is the life of H.G. Wells, as remembered by H.G. Wells, according to Lodge that is.
No small task, not least because of the many potential pitfalls facing the writer as he tries to control voice and narration. Where does Lodge end and Wells begin? And vice versa.
Wells is a particularly daunting subject, riven with contradictions. A feminist womaniser, a Darwinist with intense religious convictions, a stylist who abandoned the literary novel – and that is to say nothing of his personal traits and talents. Fortunately though, we’re talking about David Lodge not Sophie Kinsella.
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