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Giving Up the Ghost

Giving Up the Ghost

A Memoir (John MacRae Books)
Biography & MemoirEssays
Pages
240
Published
2003
Language
English

Synopsis

Hilary Mantel's autobiography, 'Giving Up the Ghost,' offers a candid look into her childhood, marked by illness, family secrets, and the lingering presence of ghosts. From the death of her stepfather to a mysterious haunted house, Mantel navigates a world where truth is often obscured. This five-part memoir explores the complexities of memory and the impact of unresolved events on a young life.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

MelancholicReflectiveComplexMysterious
Family SagaComing of Age

Genres

Biography & Memoir Essays Biography

About the author

H
Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel is the two-time winner of the Man Booker Prize for her best-selling novels, Wolf Hall, and its sequel, Bring Up the Bodies—an unprecedented achievement. The Royal Shakespeare Company recently adapted Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies for the stage to colossal critical acclaim and a BBC/Masterpiece six-part adaption of the novels will broadcast in 2015. The author of fourteen books, including A Place of Greater Safety, Beyond Black, and the memoir *Giving up the Ghost...

Frequently asked questions

  • Does this memoir focus on the author's career as a novelist?

    The narrative intentionally avoids detailing the author's professional life or specific literary works, focusing instead on her internal experiences, childhood, and health struggles.

  • Is this book part of a series or does it require reading other works first?

    This is a standalone work that functions independently of the author's fictional trilogies and novels.

  • What is the significance of the title in relation to the author's life?

    The title reflects the author's attempt to reclaim her own history and identity from the versions of herself that were shaped by others, including her family, religious upbringing, and medical misdiagnoses.