Avid Reader: A Life, by Robert Gottlieb, Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2016
In Gottlieb’s aptly titled autobiography, the New York publishing mogul gives readers a candid, chronological account of his rise to eminence in the industry. Every era of his career was driven by a near-maddening love affair with books, permeating every dimension of his personal and professional lives. And like most passionate love affairs, this one is a pleasure to read.
Fellow readers will envy his ascension through the ranks of Simon & Schuster to his taking the helm at the venerable Random House imprint Knopf. And though his position granted him the opportunity to work with the most prestigious authors (Joseph Heller, Toni Morrison, and Ray Bradbury among others), he doesn’t filter his praise or criticisms on their behalf. When Michael Crichton presented him the draft of his future bestseller “The Andromeda Strain” for instance, the editor admits the authors work was initially “sloppily plotted, underwritten, and worst of all, with no characterization whatsoever.
It’s important to note however, that Gottlieb’s sincere criticisms were never condemnations, and his nonchalant frankness is one of the characteristics the great writers, however inflated their self-images, gravitated to him. Such gravitation was virtually always mutual. Readers will be enamored by the hundreds of personal and professional relationships he expounds on in these pages. Only an appreciable editor would write of Bob Dylan that “This genius rebel and tremendous star was almost childlike – you felt like he barely knew how to tie his shoes, let alone write a check.” The results of such observations serve to humanize iconic writers in the most charming way.
As a reader, what’s striking about Gottlieb’s career is that he remains true to his early adage that “words were more important to me than real life, and certainly more interesting.” Plot, structure and characterization always take precedence over the demands of his writers. Even in the ensuing success of his collaboration with President Bill Clinton on “My Life,” he regrets that Clinton’s deadline didn’t allow him more time to polish the manuscript of the bestseller.
Equally inspiring is his absolute immersion in his craft and passion. He spends sleepless nights reading manuscripts, abhors long weekends that pull him away from the office, and considered his time as editor of The New Yorker as “a rest cure.” For the latter alone, I’ll go further than “avid” and say his is a consummate career. Robert Gottlieb’s life is an alluring and enduring ovation to an impassioned life.