J.K.Rowling: A Biography - The Genius Behind Harry Potter

In my opinion, the highlight of the book is the detail about Rowling's childhood, pieced together from interviews with former friends, neighbours and teachers. I also enjoyed reading about her slightly rebellious student years and - much later - her attempts to improve things for herself and her young daughter after the break-up of her marriage, through teacher training and the submission of a certain manuscript to a literary agent. Like all the best stories, this one has a fairy-tale ending and if you are a Potter fan like me, you will delight both in the final chapters and the references to events in Rowling's life which inspired parts of the Harry Potter saga.

I thought I knew quite a lot about J K Rowling, but having read this book, I realise there is more to her than the familiar rags-to-riches story of the penniless single mother.


Smith book pleases former teacher of J.K. Rowling   November 13, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Sean Smith's brilliant biography of J.K. Rowling was a must read for me since my teenage sons, my wife and I are daffy over all things Potter. Just as with a Harry Potter book, I was saddened to find the last page come all too soon. This biography is a triumph. Smith combines a compelling subject with his clever and very readable prose to produce a book that is sure to satisfy Rowling's legion of fans at home and abroad. His tireless research and intelligent insights into connections between his subject's life and the mythology she creates in her fiction are highly credible. There are many surprises here, even for those already familiar with Rowling's amazing rise to the top of the publishing world. Smith's writing entertains without sensationalizing. Ulimately this literary jewel sparkles like J.K. Rowling eyes on the cover photograph. Smith describes her in the end as a woman who looks rich. He should know; his writing
feels rich to this reader.


A interesting read   May 15, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Really a must read for anyone who consider themselves as a Harry Potter fan(and especially for someone who consider themselves as a J.K. Rowling fan, which I have to say I very much am, even more than a HP fan) this book was clearly written by a person who honours J.K. Rowling a great deal, as much as she should be. Sean Smith clearly is a fan, but that doesn't stop him from critisizing some little things, which is good. Overall he clearly thinks of JKR as a survivor, which she is.


Essential reading for all fans   October 9, 2001
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book is a great read and tells you loads of things which you didn't know about JK. I was very surprised to find that I couldn't put the book down and neither could my friend who read it after me, even her ten year old son found it fab. I am definitely going to buy this as a present for someone special at xmas.


The first bio of Rowling..   October 19, 2001
4 out of 7 found this review helpful

Hmm..not that exciting and overall slightly boring, but it was obvious that the author spent a lot of time on the book. Not being an authorized biography and having nothing to go on, I was impressed with the research overall - it sounded as though he interviewed dozens of people. I'd say it was an average biography, and it definitely sets a good foundation for future biographers to start with. There will be better and more complete bios on Rowling in the future, but not a bad start and of course he has the distinction of having written the first full bio..