‘This is the Christopher Isherwood biography we have been missing: informative, readable, and concise. Jake Poller covers both Isherwood’s “monumental life” and his considerable work without producing a doorstop . . . he provides fresh insight without being dogmatic, offering alternate readings of events and works. This is a book Isherwood fans will learn from and enjoy.’ – James J. Berg, editor of Isherwood on Writing

The year 1939 was pivotal for Christopher Isherwood: he emigrated to the United States and his novel Goodbye to Berlin, which inspired the hit musical Cabaret, was feted by critics for its portrait of a city under the shadow of fascism. During the Second World War, Isherwood became a pacifist and studied in a Hindu monastery, provoking indignation back in Britain. His American novels, most notably A Single Man, both reflected his newfound spiritual interests and blazed a trail for the gay liberation movement. In this new biography, Jake Poller takes a holistic approach to Isherwood, exploring the development of his innovative autofiction and unpacking the Vedanta philosophy that informed his later work. He provides an incisive account of an iconic figure.