Giving Up the Ghost

by Hilary Mantel

Good Books rating 3.75

Biography and Memoir

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Technical

ID: 1408
Added: 2025-10-05
Updated: 2025-10-05
ISBN: 9780007354917
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Published: 2009-12-17
Formats: 4
Reviews: 3

In 'Giving up the Ghost,' Hilary Mantel delves into her own past with unflinching honesty and lyrical prose. She recounts her childhood in a working-class family, her struggles with illness, and her journey to becoming a writer. The memoir is not just a recounting of events but a meditation on the nature of memory and the ways in which we construct our personal narratives. Mantel's writing is both intimate and universal, touching on themes that resonate with anyone who has ever tried to make sense of their own life story. The book is praised for its literary merit and its ability to blend personal history with broader reflections on society and culture.

Reviews

Grab The Lapels · 2018-05-24

compelling 3.75

While not a traditional memoir, the book offers a compelling and engaging read with its unique structure and Mantel's signature wit. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Giving Up the Ghost is not your typical memoir. It's a bit of a puzzle, really. The book jumps around in time and place, and it's not always clear where Mantel is taking you. But that's part of the fun. The book is filled with moments of humor and insight, and Mantel's signature wit shines through. It's not a cohesive narrative, but it's a compelling and engaging read nonetheless. The book will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Quick quotes

Though it's not a cohesive memoir, I still enjoyed myself as I read and do recommend Giving Up the Ghost.

The book jumps around in time and place, and it's not always clear where Mantel is taking you.

It's a compelling and engaging read.

The New York Times · 2003-10-05

powerful 3.50

Mantel's memoir is a powerful and unflinching account of her struggles, both physical and emotional, that leaves a lasting impact on the reader. It's a testament to her resilience and the power of the written word.

Hilary Mantel's memoir is not your typical feel-good story. It's a raw and unflinching account of her struggles, both physical and emotional. The book is filled with moments that will make you wince, but it's also a testament to her resilience and the power of the written word. Mantel's writing is sharp and incisive, and she doesn't shy away from the tough stuff. If you're looking for a memoir that will leave a lasting impact, this is it. It's not an easy read, but it's a powerful one.

Quick quotes

Hilary Mantel, distinguished novelist and critic, had both a tough childhood and a serious illness, but her memoir does not reassure.

It scalds.

It's a raw and unflinching account of her struggles.

The Guardian · 2003-05-09

bold 4.00

The memoir is a bold and unflinching exploration of Mantel's life, filled with raw honesty and a sharp wit that captivates the reader. It challenges conventional notions of memoir writing with its unapologetic tone.

In this memoir, Hilary Mantel doesn't hold back. She dives deep into her personal experiences with a level of honesty that can be both shocking and refreshing. The book is filled with moments that will make you laugh out loud, not because they are funny in a traditional sense, but because of the sardonic humor that Mantel weaves into her narrative. It's a raw and unfiltered look at her life, and it's clear that she has a unique way of telling her story that sets her apart from other memoirists. The book is not for the faint-hearted, but if you're looking for a memoir that doesn't sugarcoat the truth, this is it.

Quick quotes

Mantel has finally booted out all those shadowy presences that have jostled her all her life.

The book is filled with moments that will make you laugh out loud.

It's a raw and unfiltered look at her life.

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