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thechemicaldetective's review against another edition
5.0
Not a book I'd normally pick up, but tantalising reviews sent me to the audio edition (beautifully narrated by Juliet Stevenson) and I loved it so much I had to buy the book as well. A fascinating exploration of a supremely successful writer's life.
A dangerously deep dive into a cold, shallow pool reveals hidden warmth and depth. But is it the the perspicacity of the biographer or an optical illusion created by her superior skill with words?
Lots to admire here: a social history of Britain in the 70 and 80s, the gender of confidence, horrific realities of childhood illness before the NHS, the braiding of Jim Grant, Lee Child and Jack Reacher into an umbilicus of success.
This is no hagiography, the warts and all approach may upset some Lee Child fans, but it is absolutely fascinating.
A dangerously deep dive into a cold, shallow pool reveals hidden warmth and depth. But is it the the perspicacity of the biographer or an optical illusion created by her superior skill with words?
Lots to admire here: a social history of Britain in the 70 and 80s, the gender of confidence, horrific realities of childhood illness before the NHS, the braiding of Jim Grant, Lee Child and Jack Reacher into an umbilicus of success.
This is no hagiography, the warts and all approach may upset some Lee Child fans, but it is absolutely fascinating.
abibliofob's review
4.0
This one is a must read for any Reacher fan. Now we can add another author to the Reacher universe. We have Lee Child, Scott Blade, Jude Hardin, Diane Capri, Andy Martin, Dan Ames, Heather Martin and now Andrew Child. All those are great contributors to the world of Reacher. This book with the appropriate title The Reacher Guy is a story of how Jim Grant became Lee Child. I have always liked reading about people and since I am a sucker for this character I had to read it and I found it very interesting to get to know Reachers father. I strongly recommend it.
markazarnie's review against another edition
5.0
Great read, its nice to see what makes the mind of an author whose work you enjoy tick
steph1rothwell's review
4.0
I have two confessions to make. Firstly, I don’t tend to read non-fiction and this is the first autobiography I have read. Secondly, I have never read a book by Lee Child. But after seeing him appear at numerous festivals and listening to my husband’s enthuse about his novels I felt curious. I’m happy to say that this is definitely a type of book I would read again and I will also make a determined effort to start reading the Reacher books.
Most of this 500 page book concerns Jim (or Lee) before he became a hugely successful novelist. It is one that fascinated me, and I felt an array of conflicting emotions. There was the letter that is shown early on in the novel that he wrote for an online project ‘Letter to an Unknown Soldier’ on the 100th anniversary for the declaration of war that reduced me to tears. It wasn’t the only occasion when reading this part of the book that I thought that Jim felt guilty to be from a generation that didn’t have to go to war. There were also occasions that made me smile. His determination to stand up to bullies, both in school and the workplace as well as his thoughts regarding many politicians in the UK and USA. And I definitely agreed with him with on the ‘dumbing down’ of the TV station he worked for. 24 hour TV was one of the worst decisions Granada TV ever made.
Jim is obviously an extremely loyal, honest and thoughtful man. He admits throughout feeling detached from his parents but remains close to some family and friends. The loyalty he showed towards his agent and publisher where many would move on at the first opportunity for more fame. And his loyalty towards his many readers. He must have felt pain and bafflement when he received backlash later in the series. He came across as a loner, as someone who has never read the books I thought that this was his only similarity with Reacher.
This isn’t a linear biography, Jim could be a schoolboy and an author years later in the same chapter but once I got used to it I thought it worked well. It’s a remarkable achievement showing the publishing process, the work that goes into promoting an author and his books but more importantly it shows the dedication in publishing a novel yearly from all involved and the impact that had on Jim. I’m glad that he felt happy enough to retire without regrets
Most of this 500 page book concerns Jim (or Lee) before he became a hugely successful novelist. It is one that fascinated me, and I felt an array of conflicting emotions. There was the letter that is shown early on in the novel that he wrote for an online project ‘Letter to an Unknown Soldier’ on the 100th anniversary for the declaration of war that reduced me to tears. It wasn’t the only occasion when reading this part of the book that I thought that Jim felt guilty to be from a generation that didn’t have to go to war. There were also occasions that made me smile. His determination to stand up to bullies, both in school and the workplace as well as his thoughts regarding many politicians in the UK and USA. And I definitely agreed with him with on the ‘dumbing down’ of the TV station he worked for. 24 hour TV was one of the worst decisions Granada TV ever made.
Jim is obviously an extremely loyal, honest and thoughtful man. He admits throughout feeling detached from his parents but remains close to some family and friends. The loyalty he showed towards his agent and publisher where many would move on at the first opportunity for more fame. And his loyalty towards his many readers. He must have felt pain and bafflement when he received backlash later in the series. He came across as a loner, as someone who has never read the books I thought that this was his only similarity with Reacher.
This isn’t a linear biography, Jim could be a schoolboy and an author years later in the same chapter but once I got used to it I thought it worked well. It’s a remarkable achievement showing the publishing process, the work that goes into promoting an author and his books but more importantly it shows the dedication in publishing a novel yearly from all involved and the impact that had on Jim. I’m glad that he felt happy enough to retire without regrets
sharonrhh's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Interesting but meanders a bit
bookoholic's review
informative
slow-paced
5.0
I don't really read biographies but when I heard of one written about Lee Child - I had to get it. In fact, I've bought several copies not just for myself but also friends who love Lee's fiction.
Heather's writing is superb. Even though you're not reading a fiction, you are absorbed by the story.
I'm not good at history and I never was, so I didn't know about a lot of things that were happening in Britain in the last century. It was interesting to learn those details which I could have never come across otherwise!
It is very slow paced and very thorough. We learn about Lee's grandparents and parents, his childhood, work, adventures, a bit about his marriage. And around page 350 when Jim is 39 years old, Lee Child is born.
I have to admit that it was a truly fascinating part for me, because I was the most interested in the life of an author. It gives me hope that I still have another decade or so to have a million dollars idea and become super rich :)
I'd say that this book is a must read for everyone who is Lee's fan and loves his stories.
Heather's writing is superb. Even though you're not reading a fiction, you are absorbed by the story.
I'm not good at history and I never was, so I didn't know about a lot of things that were happening in Britain in the last century. It was interesting to learn those details which I could have never come across otherwise!
It is very slow paced and very thorough. We learn about Lee's grandparents and parents, his childhood, work, adventures, a bit about his marriage. And around page 350 when Jim is 39 years old, Lee Child is born.
I have to admit that it was a truly fascinating part for me, because I was the most interested in the life of an author. It gives me hope that I still have another decade or so to have a million dollars idea and become super rich :)
I'd say that this book is a must read for everyone who is Lee's fan and loves his stories.
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