New Title Tuesday: Bette Davis in 134 Characters
A Life Lived in Melodrama, offers a compelling look into the career of one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures. Known for her fierce independence, caustic wit, and unparalleled performances, Bette Davis redefined the image of the leading lady on screen, and now her story is told like never before—through the characters she portrayed.
With meticulous research and deep admiration, Burge crafts a portrait of Davis that focuses not just on her tumultuous personal life, but on the roles that came to define her both as an actress and as a woman in a male-dominated industry. As Burge himself notes, “Work was one of her favourite words, and I strongly believe that on that work she should be judged.” This fresh perspective delves into how Davis’s work reflected the battles she fought off screen—whether for better roles, improved working conditions, or women’s rights.
A Life Lived in Melodrama stands apart from other biographies by examining each of the 134 roles Davis inhabited throughout her career. From All About Eve to What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, readers will discover how the characters she played shaped—and were shaped by—the extraordinary life of a woman who continually fought to change perceptions of women both on and off the screen.
Anton Burge is no stranger to telling the stories of powerful women. As the playwright behind the acclaimed Bette & Joan, Burge has spent years researching and writing about Davis. His latest biography is not only a testament to Davis’s legacy but also a critical reflection on how far the film industry has come in the fight for gender equality—and how much further it has to go.
In A Life Lived in Melodrama: Bette Davis in 134 Characters, readers will rediscover classic films and perhaps unearth hidden gems from Davis’s lesser-known performances. As Burge states, “I hope admirers of cinema, less familiar with Bette Davis, will want to read about one of the most important performers to grace the screen at any time.”
For film enthusiasts, Davis devotees, and anyone interested in the evolving roles of women in Hollywood, this book offers an intimate, revealing, and timely portrayal of a woman whose legacy continues to resonate today.
This book is available to purchase exclusively via this website. With an RRP of £22, this title is available at a launch price of £20 until the end of the month!