John Berger: From Life by Tom Overton review

This multi-layered portrait is a fitting tribute to the man behind Ways of Seeing

John Berger: From Life by Tom Overton review

TL;DR

  • The biography "John Berger: From Life" by Tom Overton examines the life and work of cultural critic John Berger.
  • Berger, known for "Ways of Seeing," viewed art as a social and political manifestation, inseparable from the marketplace.
  • Overton's biography is detailed and subjective, reflecting Berger's belief that stories are fluid and shaped by the storyteller.
  • Berger's work often explored the connection between the past and the present, viewing great art and sensitive individuals as portals through time.
  • Despite his critiques of societal structures, Berger's personal life was complex and contradictory, marked by self-imposed exile and shifting relationships.