Description
'Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible' In equal measure famous and infamous, Janet Malcolm's book charts the true story of a lawsuit between Jeffrey MacDonald, a convicted murderer, and Joe McGinniss, the author of a book about the crime. Lauded as one of the Modern Libraries "100 Best Works of Nonfiction", The Journalist and the Murderer is fascinating and controversial, a contemporary classic of reportage.
In 1970 Jeffrey MacDonald was accused of murdering his pregnant wife, and the journalist Joe McGinniss decided to write a book about it. Malcolm's classic investigation sheds a fascinating light on the conflict and controversy that followed, and asks whether all journalists are, ultimately, immoral.
About the Author
Janet Malcolm's books include Reading Chekhov, In the Freud Archives, The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes and Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession. Born in Prague, she grew up in New York, where she now lives.
Reviews
One of the best journalists writing in English anywhere * Financial Times *
It is often overlooked how good a reporter Malcolm is, fearless in her questioning, ruthless in her pursuit of every last witness. The Journalist and the Murderer is a lesson in not courting your subject too much * Guardian *
A spare and unsparing account of tragicomic human folly * The Times *
A timely reissue for Janet Malcolm's 1990 classic, which caused a storm when it was first published for its uncompromising analysis of the ethics - and otherwise - within the slippery relationship between a journalist and her subject -- Claire Allfree * Metro *
Malcolm's seminal 1990 work about the ethics of journalism is at once reportage, a scrutinising look at the practice and a cautionary tale of personal manipulation and betrayal * Big Issue *
Book Information
ISBN 9781783784547
Author Janet Malcolm
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Granta Books
Publisher Granta Books
Weight(grams) 140g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 11mm
In 1970 Jeffrey MacDonald was accused of murdering his pregnant wife, and the journalist Joe McGinniss decided to write a book about it. Malcolm's classic investigation sheds a fascinating light on the conflict and controversy that followed, and asks whether all journalists are, ultimately, immoral.
About the Author
Janet Malcolm's books include Reading Chekhov, In the Freud Archives, The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes and Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession. Born in Prague, she grew up in New York, where she now lives.
Reviews
One of the best journalists writing in English anywhere * Financial Times *
It is often overlooked how good a reporter Malcolm is, fearless in her questioning, ruthless in her pursuit of every last witness. The Journalist and the Murderer is a lesson in not courting your subject too much * Guardian *
A spare and unsparing account of tragicomic human folly * The Times *
A timely reissue for Janet Malcolm's 1990 classic, which caused a storm when it was first published for its uncompromising analysis of the ethics - and otherwise - within the slippery relationship between a journalist and her subject -- Claire Allfree * Metro *
Malcolm's seminal 1990 work about the ethics of journalism is at once reportage, a scrutinising look at the practice and a cautionary tale of personal manipulation and betrayal * Big Issue *
Book Information
ISBN 9781783784547
Author Janet Malcolm
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Granta Books
Publisher Granta Books
Weight(grams) 140g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 11mm
