Reviews of Strindberg: A Life
The Spectator, 17 March 2012 ‘What an absolutely extraordinary man Strindberg was, and what a tormented, demented life he led! I haven’t read such a fascinating biography for ages…Prideaux has a lovely, dry turn of phrase: “Strindberg’s differences with Grandfather Reischl over their attitude to money, Jews and pianos finally volatilised”; Strindberg’s first wife had ” a graceful neck, a feature much prized in those days when people were still beheaded in Sweden”. In other words, you can see how much fun the author is having with Strindberg. Anyone reading her marvellous book will have that much fun too.’ Sam Leith
Saturday Telegraph 3rd March 2012 ‘Prideaux is a deft guide to the absinthe-heavy bohemian underworlds of Berlin and Paris…’ Claudia FitzHerbert.
Sunday Telegraph 18th March 2012 ‘…the joy of her book is in the detail, from quoted letters and diaries and some stunning photography…Prideaux tells an extraordinarily wierd story with some panache.’ Tim Auld.
The Sunday Times 18th March 2012 ‘ A rich and absorbing biography…writing the life of a frezied and unstable genius like Strindberg is an enormous challenge and Prideaux rises to it with fine authority.’ John Carey.
The Scotsman 26th March 2012 ‘Prideaux’s exhaustively researched biography is a deft piece of detective work…’
Times Literary Supplement ‘She is admirably thorough in tracing Strindberg’s conflicting influences…and in documenting the many intellectual and geographical adventures…Prideaux reveals Strindberg to have been, if not involved in the intellectual mainstream, powerfully involved in the cross-currents.’ John Stokes
Literary Review April 2012 ‘…unflailing flair…Prideaux excels in relating his characters to their living originals, and in showing how they were transformed by the process…’ Irving Wardle.
The Tablet 14th April 2012 ‘Prideaux’s lively account of a wilful, passionate, often deranged pilgrimmage in search of truth, artistic honesty and, finally, God, will change our narrow perspective on this astonishing polymath.’
Guardian 21st April 2012 ‘Prideaux’s achievement is to restore Strindberg’s humanity… Prideaux’s sophisticated book makes it entirely credible.’ Ruth Scurr