Books like The Orton Diaries by John Lahr

David Sedaris opens his long‑cherished diary, revealing the sharp observations that shaped his humor—everyday gossip, idiosyncratic voices, and his own idiosyncratic rise to fame.

A powerful and poetic account of breast cancer survivor Audre Lorde's experience and transformation.

An inside look into the life of Andy Warhol through his own diary entries, offering rare insights into his artistic world, personal relationships and the cultural scene of his era.

This mesmerizing story of playwright and author Joe Orton’s brief and remarkable life was named book of the year by Truman Capote and Nobel Prize–winning novelist Patrick White Told with precision and extensive detail, Prick Up Your Ears is the engrossing biography of playwright and novelist Joe Orton. Orton’s public career spanned only three years (1964–1967), but his work made a lasting mark on the international stage. From Entertaining Mr. Sloane to his career-making Loot, Orton’s plays often shocked, sometimes outraged, and always captivated audiences with their dark yet farcical cynicism. A rising star and undeniable talent, Orton left much undone when he was bludgeoned to death by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell, who had educated Orton and also dreamed of becoming a famous writer. Prick Up Your Ears was the basis for the distinguished 1987 film of the same name, directed by Stephen Frears, with a screenplay by Alan Bennett, and starring Gary Oldman and Vanessa Redgrave. A brilliant, page-turning examination of the dueling forces behind Orton’s work, Prick Up Your Ears secured the playwright’s reputation as a great twentieth-century artist.

A gripping biography of the political fundraiser behind the Nixon administration, uncovering layers of corruption, friendship, and the mechanics of power in late 1960s America.

Alan Bennett’s collected diaries from 1980–1990, interspersed with reflections on literary figures and the true story of Miss Mary Shepherd, the long‑time tenant who lived in his garden.

A mother's journey to China with her adopted child and the unexpected cultural discovery that shapes the bond between them.

A question of choice: Sarah Weddington reflects on the landmark case that gave women the right to abortion in the United States for the fortieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

A memoir by Antonia Fraser that chronicles her 33‑year marriage to playwright Harold Pinter, offering intimate insights into their shared life and the literary world.