Biography: writers

An intimate exploration of the life, craft, and legacy of one of the most revered and influential writers, an artist who continues to inspire fans and creatives to cultivate practices of deep attention, rigourous interrogation and beautiful style.

In a complex world, who is allowed to be complicated? Who is entitled to a messy life full of triumphs, mistakes and tedium?

Until recently, not Black women.

A Telegraph Book to Read for Autumn 2022

A Times Best Non-fiction Book for Autumn 2022

A Daily Mail Book of the Year 2022

A Waterstones Best Book of 2022: Biography

‘An absolute belter of a biography’ MARINA HYDE

A Times Literary Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2022

An LA Times Best Book of the Year 2022

An intimate, revealing and profoundly moving biography of Jean Rhys, acclaimed author of Wide Sargasso Sea.

Bill Bryson’s biography of William Shakespeare unravels the superstitions, academic discoveries and myths surrounding the life of our greatest poet and playwright.

The definitive critical study of Tolkien’s greatest works by the respected and world renowned Tolkien scholar Professor T.A. Shippey.

‘A searing, triumphant story. A testament to the tenacity of the human spirit as well as a beautiful ode to an iconic figure’ IRENOSEN OKOJIE

See through the eyes of the Brontës as you immerse yourself in their lives and landscapes, wandering the very same paths they each would have walked in search of the inspiration behind their novels and poetry.

An ‘imaginative and elegant trek through the landscape of the Brontës’ Grazia

‘Captures both Barbara and her writing so miraculously’ JILLY COOPER

Picked as a Book to Look Forward to in 2021 by the Guardian, The Times and the Observer

A Radio 4 Book of the Week, April 2021

A dazzling biography of two interwoven, tragic lives: John Keats and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

‘Highly engaging … Go now, read this book’ THE TIMES

Twelve early pieces never before collected that offer an illuminating glimpse into the mind and process of Joan Didion.

HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.