Isabelle Holland (1920–2002)
Author of The Man Without a Face
About the Author
Author Isabelle Holland was born in Basel, Switzerland on June 16, 1920. Since her father was an American consul, she grew up in Guatemala City and Liverpool, England until 1940 when her family returned to the United States because of World War II. In 1942, she received a bachelor's degree from show more Tulane University. She then worked in the publicity departments for numerous magazines and publishing companies including McCall's, Crown, Lippincott, Harper's, and G. P. Putman. Her first novel, Cecily, was published in 1967 and was followed by about fifty other books for children, young adults, and adults. Many of her young adult novels deal with topics such as death, obesity, rape, and homosexuality. Her novel, Of Love and Death and Other Journeys, was nominated for the 1975 National Book Award. Two of her novels, Bump in the Night and The Man Without a Face, were made into movies. She died in New York City on February 9, 2002 at the age of 81. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Isabelle Holland
Maulever Hall 1 copy
Journey for Three 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Holland, Isabelle
- Legal name
- Holland, Isabelle Christian
- Birthdate
- 1920-06-16
- Date of death
- 2002-02-09
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Tulane University (BA|1942)
University of Liverpool - Occupations
- young adult writer
novelist
book publicist - Organizations
- G. P. Putnam's Sons
Harper's
J. B. Lippincott Company
Crown Publishers
McCall's
Kappa Alpha Theta - Relationships
- Lee, Harper (friend)
- Short biography
- Isabelle Holland was born in Basel, Switzerland, the daughter of the American consul there. She was educated in England and the USA and earned a bachelor's degree from Tulane University in 1942. She settled in New York City and held various jobs, including publicist, for some of New York's top publishing houses. She also wrote more than 50 books, including many prize-winning books for children and young adults, as well as romantic thrillers and gothic mysteries, but the first of them was not published until 1967, when she was in her late forties. She was still writing at the time of her death. Miss Holland's books for young people addressed a variety of difficult or controversial topics, such as death, rape, incest, teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, homosexuality, and the ravages of alcoholism on families. Two of her books have been adapted as films.
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland
- Places of residence
- New York, New York, USA
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
Guatamala City, Guatamala
Basel, Switzerland - Place of death
- New York, New York, USA
Members
Discussions
YA-nightmare-plagued girl learns artist next door is her alcoholic mom in Name that Book (June 2016)
Reviews
I hated this book when I read it as a kid, and a quick re-read hasn't changed my opinion much. I mean, way to glorify stealing your parents' prescription medication! Spoilers ahead: "Gee, I'm too fat. Let me steal some of mom's diet pills. But I can't sleep, so let me take some of her sleeping pills too. OK, now I'm really thin. What? These diet pills are "speed"? I'd better stop taking them. And anyway dad loves me again, and a boy has a crush on me, now that I'm skinny."
This award-winning novel tells the story of a teenage misogynist and compulsive underachiever, Charles Norstadt (Chuck), who strains to pass his boarding school entrance exams the second time around and thereby escape the constraints of his much-married mother (castrating even in her desire to alter the cat which Chuck sees as ""just part of (her) wholesale plan for the taming and domesticating of the male species"") and nymphet sister. He finds a mentor in the horribly scarred and romantic show more recluse Justin McLeod who proves a demanding tutor (smashing some straw-man defenses of "progressive education"). This relationship between two emotional cripples leads to a once-only homosexual encounter (though the episode is handled very subtly). Chuck's bitterness is painfully real and the recognition of his sexual feelings commendably frank, but in return for this measure of honesty, the whole story is slanted to justify the daring subject matter -- the psychological underpinnings are intrusive (talk of Oedipus complexes and sibling rivalry), the twin mysteries in the pasts of Chuck's dead father and Justin unlikely, the decadence and nastiness of Chuck's family is somewhat over stressed. In spite of these flaws the novel works well, especially as a morality tale for young adults who, at least in 1971, may not be very sophisticated. show less
3.5 stars - I really liked this book up until the end. The very end almost made me give it two stars. Before the last chapter or so, I was tempted to give it 4.5 or even 5. Love the author's writing style and can't wait to seek out more of her stuff. The movie was actually better, which I figured because this book was so short and the movie so brilliant and indepth. There are some differences, but the main things remain the same. A beautiful and psychologically rich story, wonderful show more characterization, although McLeod seemed a bit more wooden in written form than he was on screen played well by Mel Gibson. Charles is convincing, and his dysfunctional family dynamic intriguing. Worth reading if you enjoyed the movie (or haven't seen it, whichever), although the end is souring. Sexuality is more focused on with the book rather than the film, with an almost confusing bend. What really bugged me during the last pages is what happened to a main character. It's like an uplifting surge of the heart through growth and recovery from the past, through friendship and understanding, to unfairness and being sold short.
As to the very end, no, I don't think he was molested. I think the writer was saying he was ashamed as he had an...err, normal teenage boy reaction that embarrassed him after the trauma and then having close contact. Homophobia is a major theme in the book, starting with the mother wanting her son to avoid boarding school because the previous stepfather insists it turns boys into homosexuals. Charles later worrying about that and asking his teacher. Charles at the end of book was ashamed and didn't want to speak about what his body did, the writer delicately putting it in the only way she could as the character begins to realize he's gay. McLeod admits he is also gay but I don't see any sign they did anything. McLeod was telling him it was a natural reaction and not to worry about it "for years", which is why he wanted to talk about it then and not avoid the conversation. show less
As to the very end, no, I don't think he was molested.
Eleven year-old Charles Norstadt is the only male in a house of women: his Mother, who has just finished with her fourth husband and is on the lookout for Number Five; his hateful older sister Gloria; and his wise younger sister Meg. While at their summer cottage, Charles must study to pass the entrance exam at St. Matthew's, a boarding school he wants to attend to be away from Gloria. Unfortunately, he hasn't inherited his sisters' scholastic abilities, so Meg suggests that he ask Justin show more McLeod to coach him. Justin is the town recluse, mostly due to a horribly disfigured face. Charles manages to convince him to help, and a wonderful friendship ensues. Charles learns a lot about Justin, and a lot about himself.
My only negative about the book is that I found the ending rushed. It was a good ending, but I felt like the author was on a deadline and just wanted to finish it, so it wasn't as fleshed out as I wish it would have been. I would have enjoyed reading more. show less
My only negative about the book is that I found the ending rushed. It was a good ending, but I felt like the author was on a deadline and just wanted to finish it, so it wasn't as fleshed out as I wish it would have been. I would have enjoyed reading more. show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 60
- Members
- 1,842
- Popularity
- #13,975
- Rating
- 3.5
- Reviews
- 21
- ISBNs
- 215
- Languages
- 10
- Favorited
- 1