Byron Rogers’ biographies of the maverick literary figures J. L. Carr and R.S. Thomas drew dazzling critical acclaim from both fans and reviewers. His singular insight into the lives of these men was undoubtedly derived from Rogers’ own bizarre, whimsical disposition. For such a wildcard as Byron Rogers, the search to deliver a suitable encore could only lead one place: himself.
The story of Me: The Authorised Biography begins several years ago, when the author started receiving letters forwarded to him by his then-employer, the Daily Telegraph Magazine. But these weren’t the usual readers’ letters. These were passionate, erotic love letters. They were also from women he’d never met. But they seemed to know all about him, the illustrious journalist…
Rogers’ quest to find out about this other Mr Rogers — not your normal kind of imposter, but one who did you the double-edged favour of spreading far and wide your undeserved reputation as a sexual voyageur — is what sets off this strange and hilarious memoir. With seemingly nothing else for it, Byron embarks on a journey to track down this talented imposter and learn his startling fate.
The result is this uncategorisable and wonderful book –part hilarious, wistful and outrageous memoir, part detective story. Me is one of the most charming and certainly one of the oddest, memoirs you’ll ever read.
