John Cheever: A Biography

­a biography of great immediacy¡­there are many sections of great poignancy, many funny things, many of electric intimacy and candor¡­there is spellbinding power, never more so than in describing Cheever’s death, pages that are both terrible and deeply moving; one is losing an old, beloved friend. — James Salter, Los Angeles Times Book Review John A Biography is clearly an indispensable book Donaldson moves gracefully from the personal to the literary ­solidly researched and entirely readable, admiring of the writer and knowing about the man. Stuffed with fascinating anecdotes. ­It’s a gut-wrenching story. Donaldson tells it straight, without embellishment, and our attention never strays. — Dan Cryer, Newsday A coup of investigative reporting Publishers Weekly ­both erudite and earthly What emerges is a rich tapestry that gives the reader extraordinary insight into the workings of a master stor Jean Graham, New York Daily News John A Biography by Scott Donaldson is as readable and “unputdownable” as any thriller& T. Coraghessan Boyle A revelation&What a triumph. Frederick Exley Donaldson has set a high standard that other biographers will find difficult to equal. — John Blades, Chicago Tribune