Nom de plume a secret history of pseudonyms

A secret history of pseudonyms, carmela ciuraru her real name chronicles the lives of 16 notable authors who wrote under false names, and recounts the lives of the pseudonyms themselves. A secret history of pseudonyms, by carmela ciuraru. Samuel clemens, for example, was born in missouri in 1835, but mark twain was born in nevada in 1863, and ciuraru 96jrn accounts for. There is a photograph of carmela on the back flap of the book cover. The book explores the biographies of several writerspatricia highsmith, mark twainwho adopted pen names and their various reasons for doing so. The secret history of pseudonyms, was recently published by harpercollins. A secret history of pseudonyms kyoko moris passion brings barn cat to new readers an excerpt from an authentic captain marvel ring by alan cheuse. A secret history of pseudonyms in new york journal of books. A secret history of pseudonyms by carmela ciuraru was an enjoyable collection of miniature biographies about various literary figures throughout more recent history that have written and published under pseudonyms. We often think of writing as a form of selfexpression, but how much do words truly reveal about their authors. The book begins with a meditation on the power of naming. Daniel may continues the debat about george orwell and the gaza war. Plus, free twoday shipping for six months when you sign up for amazon prime for students. Carmela ciuraru takes a playful look at the history of pen names and the.

Or, as they are more commonly remembered, george eliot, lewis carroll, george orwell, and o. A pseudonym also known as a pen name is a name you can give yourself for the purpose of anonymity or just to have a better sounding name. She explores the often dark reasons for why authors hide behind pretend identities and madeup names. It is amongst the most awesome publication i actually have read. A secret history of pseudonyms, by carmela ciuraru carmela ciuraru takes a playful look at the history of pen names and the reasons authors use them. Collective pseudonyms from the luddites to anonymous a quadrant. Do you think that readers have the right to the details of an authors life, even if the author writes fiction.

A secret history of pseudonyms by ciuraru, carmela paperback. Carmela ciuraru discusses writers throughout history who hoarded secret identities sometimes playfully, and sometimes with tragic consequencesincluding mark twain, george eliot, and lewis carroll. An engrossing, wellpaced literary historybiography on the quick, and done well. A secret history of pseudonyms, in which carmela ciuraru tells the stories of more than a dozen pseudonymous authors, including mark twain, isak dinesen, lewis carroll, and george eliot, and explores the creative process and the darker, often crippling aspects of fame. Carmela ciuraru exploring fascinating stories of more than a dozen authorial imposters across several centuries and cultures, carmela ciuraru plumbs the creative process and the darker, often crippling aspects of. Looking back at a history of pseudonyms the forward. A secret history of pseudonyms carmela ciuraru on amazon. Its a richly documented literary excursion into the inner, secret lives of some of our favorite writers. It may be a performers stage name or an alias used by visual artists, athletes, fashion designers, or criminals. Does the fact that hamas is an easy bogeyman embolden israel to do things that are wrong and not in its own interests. Pseudonyms are occasionally used in fiction such as by superheroes or other fictional characters. Some female authors used male pen names, in particular in the 19th century, when writing was a maledominated profession. Jun 14, 2011 at last, i am able to report that i found my thrill, not on blueberry hill but in the obscure pleasures offered up by the ethereal carmela ciuraru in her brilliant harpercollins, thought so. In a series of biographical snapshots that range from orwell to eliot.