The Double Life of Stephen Crane: A Biography

This is a great book for fans of Crane but remains a thesis: S. Crane had 2 lives, first he wrote then he lived. Benfey does a good job, but sometimes one can't help but think that this biography is «his» thoughts on Crane and he has a number of theories (interesting ones, nonetheless). Benfey doesn't like Thomas Beer's biography (filled with mistakes and pure invention) and states it so many times it's annoying... The one thing that I really don't like much is the assumption that Crane planned the «Dora Clark» affair which caused him so much trouble. Benfey seems to forget that it almost ruined Crane's literary career. Benfey also defends that the Commodore shipwreck was, in a lot of ways, «planned» by Crane! Well... maybe. This being a weird exception, the text analysis is insightful, the views are based on a lot of research and Benfey does an important thing: He tells us when there is lack of data (something other biographers don't do). The concept of a double life is also an interesting approach. At the beginning, Benfey writes that Crane is much more complex than he seems, and he explains why (especially in regard to the relationship with his parents.) If you're new to Crane, I would recommend James B. Colvert bio, which is more straight to the point and short. I would say that Linda Davis «Badge of Courage» is a more balanced biography, but this «double life» is, without any doubt, an interesting book to understand a bit more about Crane's mental processes. Even when it's pure speculation.