Myself and Michael Innes: A memoir - Hardcover

Like a television special that offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of the making of a successful movie, this book offers insight into Stewart's works. Stewart, who writes novels under his own name and detective stories under the pseudonym of Michael Innes, has built a following through clever, quick-paced stories full of wry humor and literary references. And it is really to this following that he directs this smooth-flowing, no-frills tour of his life, which stops occasionally for an anecdote or the genesis of a story idea and then quickly moves ahead. Anecdotes like those about Thomas Hardy's funeral or Stewart's meeting with T.S. Eliot salvage the book for the uninitiated; otherwise, its appeal is to Stewart's already established audience. Martin J. Hudacs, Towanda H.S., Pa.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A retired professor who has taught in Britain, Australia, Northern Ireland and America, James Stewart has written novels and books of literary criticism but is better known as Michael Innes, author of tales of mystery, adventure and detection. In this tantalizingly brief memoir of his boyhood in Edinburgh, student years at Oxford and teaching experiences, he presents anecdotes and vignettes about mentors, associates, neighbors and acquaintances but tells very little about his personal life, his wife and five children. That he also includes a radio script, a short story and a scanty excursus on the detective story will hardly satisfy admirers of this clever, witty novelist. Photos.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.