John Cheever was one of the foremost chroniclers of post-war America, a peerless writer who on his death in 1982 left not only some of the best short stories of the twentieth century and a number of highly acclaimed novels, but also a private journal that runs to an astonishing four million words. Cheever's was a soul in conflictm who hid his troubles - alcoholism, secret bisexuality - behind the screen of genial life in suburbia, but as John Updike came to remark: `Only he saw in its cocktail parties and swimming pools ...
Read More
John Cheever was one of the foremost chroniclers of post-war America, a peerless writer who on his death in 1982 left not only some of the best short stories of the twentieth century and a number of highly acclaimed novels, but also a private journal that runs to an astonishing four million words. Cheever's was a soul in conflictm who hid his troubles - alcoholism, secret bisexuality - behind the screen of genial life in suburbia, but as John Updike came to remark: `Only he saw in its cocktail parties and swimming pools the shimmer of dissolving dreams . . .' Blake Bailey, writing with unprecedented access to the journal and other sources, has brought characteristic eloquence and sensitivity to his interpretation of Cheever's life and work. This is a luminous biography that reveals - behind the disguises with which he faced the world - a troubled but strangely lovable man, and a writer of timeless fiction. `Stunningly detailed . . . Even more eloquent and resourceful than Bailey's celebrated biography of Richard Yates, A Tragic Honesty . . . Bailey's interweaving of Cheever's fiction with his experience is a tour de force' New York Times Book Review
Read Less
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $14.14, very good condition, Sold by MW Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, G, IRELAND, published 2009 by London: Picador.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $15.32, very good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2009 by Picador.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Add this copy of Cheever: A Life to cart. $23.02, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2010 by Vintage.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 816 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $1,200.37, new condition, Sold by SELL BOOKS LTD rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2009 by Picador.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Our books are dispatched from a Yorkshire former cotton mill. We list via barcode/ISBN so please note that the images are stock images and may not be the exact copy you receive, furthermore the details about edition and year might not be accurate as many publishers reuse the same ISBN for multiple editions and as we simply scan a barcode or enter an ISBN we do not check the validity of the edition data when listing. If you're looking for an exact edition please don't order (at least not wit.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $9.53, very good condition, Sold by 2nd Life Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Burlington, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Used book in very good condition. May have some minor wear. May NOT include discs or access code or other supplemental material. We ship Monday-Saturday and respond to inquiries within 24 hours.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $10.83, very good condition, Sold by Blue Vase Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Interlochen, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $10.83, good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Vintage.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $11.75, very good condition, Sold by citywbooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Salt Lake City, UT, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Vintage.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $11.89, good condition, Sold by Blue Vase Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Interlochen, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Knopf.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover if applicable. Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs access code or other supplemental materials.
Add this copy of Cheever: a Life to cart. $14.82, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Vintage.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
Snob, flirt, bad writer, literary giant, itinerant father, impotent husband, a drunk, mendacious, ambitious, competitive, 'catty', devious. bi-sexual, treacherous, boastful, jealous, cruel... all these descriptions can be used to portray John Cheever (or 'Cheevah') as he sometimes pronounced his name. With this leading character, there is no way this well-researched book could be anything but immensely interesting and absorbing. Blake Bailey has gone to those who knew and had dealings with Cheever, giving a close-up picture of this man in sexual torment all his life, with intense sexual needs right up to the time he was dying of cancer. There is the feeling here that nothing has been left unresearched.
Married to an unforgiving and contemptuous wife, with 3 children he disregarded a lot of the time, Cheever was wracked by envy and jealousy when it came to his literary peers. He was often scathing about John Updike (who kept a sweet, silent mien himself), full of admiration and envy of Saul Bellow with an eye on the prizes that both scooped up over the years. His uncomfortable and at times depleting relationship with those at The New Yorker seemed to cause fear that he was just a short story writer, but with The Wapshott Chronicles, Bullitt Park and The Falconer, his star rose and the awards began to come in.
This is a gripping account of man's struggle to overcome his weaknesses, and yet finally to accept himself for what he is - a human being with noble aspirations but human failings. There is the feeling that John Cheever gave life a helluva shot. Great read.
