Bad Blood

by Lorna Sage
Bad Blood cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Biography and Memoir
Technical:
  • ID: 663
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780007241804
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2007-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99

Lorna Sage's 'Bad Blood' is a literary memoir that masterfully captures the essence of a bygone time and place. Through her sharp wit and keen observations, Sage paints a vivid portrait of her family's history, focusing on the experiences of three generations of women. Her prose is both engaging and insightful, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of family dynamics and the passage of time. /n/nThe memoir is not just a personal account but also a social commentary, providing a window into the cultural and historical context of the era. Sage's ability to blend personal narrative with broader societal themes makes 'Bad Blood' a compelling read. Her writing style is both accessible and sophisticated, making it a standout in the genre of memoir.

Reviews
Triumph of the Now · 2014-01-30
acclaimed 4.00

The book is acclaimed and successful, but the reviewer questions why it has received such praise. They delve into the reasons behind its critical reception.

The reviewer acknowledges that Bad Blood is widely regarded as a good and serious book, but they are curious about the specific reasons for its acclaim. They explore the book's qualities that have led to its success, highlighting its ability to captivate readers and critics alike. The reviewer appreciates the book's depth and the way it handles its subject matter, even if they don't fully understand the extent of its praise.

Quick quotes

    Bad Blood has been judged to be a good book, a serious book, a successful book and is, undoubtedly an acclaimed book.

    But why?

    To start with, ...

The Guardian · 2010-10-09
inspiring 4.50

The book is described as comforting and inspiring, with the author's ability to describe difficult subjects in a compelling way.

The reviewer finds Bad Blood to be one of the most comforting books they have read, highlighting the author's unique ability to describe challenging and painful experiences in a way that is both engaging and inspiring. They appreciate how the author found a way to convey the awfulness of certain situations without dwelling on the negativity. The book's power lies in its ability to transform difficult subjects into something that resonates deeply with readers.

Quick quotes

    Bad Blood was one of the most comforting books I read, inspiring because LS found a way to describe the awfulness of the people seeming neither ...

    It is an autobiography in the traditional sense; a chronologically faithful (one presumes) retrospective but lacking the wholly immersive qualities of the ...

    Bad Blood is a work of art that, phrase by spiky, gorgeous, perfectly-chosen phrase, triumphs as family psychodrama and social history too.

The Independent · 2010-10-08
artistic 4.75

The book is praised for its artistic quality and its ability to capture family dynamics and social history.

The reviewer describes Bad Blood as a work of art, highlighting the author's skill in choosing phrases that perfectly capture the essence of family psychodrama and social history. They appreciate the book's ability to create a vivid and engaging narrative that resonates with readers. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the book's ability to transform personal experiences into a broader commentary on society, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Bad Blood is a work of art that, phrase by spiky, gorgeous, perfectly-chosen phrase, triumphs as family psychodrama and social history too.

    Margaret Drabble writes that Bad Blood is a 'vividly remembered, honest, generous, shocking story... A fine transformation of pain into something ...

    This could have been the saddest book you have ever read, but because of Lorna Sage's relish in the details, her exuberant celebration of the vitality ...

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