Saunders, Kate 1960–

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Saunders, Kate 1960–

PERSONAL: Born 1960; children: one son.

ADDRESSES: Home—London, England. Agent—c/o Author Mail, St. Martin's Press, 175 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010.

CAREER: Journalist and writer. Has worked for numerous London, England, newspapers; British Broadcasting Corporation, London, writer for BBC Radio 4 programs Woman's Hour, Start the Week, and Kaleidoscope. Also worked as an actress.

WRITINGS:

The Prodigal Father, Grafton (London, England), 1987.

(Author of introduction) Elizabeth von Arnim, The Caravaners, Virago (London, England), 1989.

Storm in the Citadel, J. Cape (London, England), 1989.

(Editor and contributor) Revenge (story anthology), Faber & Faber (Boston, MA), 1991.

Night Shall Overtake Us (novel), Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

Wild Young Bohemians, Century (London, England), 1995.

Eighteen Layers of Hell: Stories from the Chinese Gulag, Cassell (New York, NY), 1996.

Lily-Josephine, Century (London, England), 1998.

The Marrying Game (novel), Century (London, England), 2002, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2003.

Bachelor Boys (novel), St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 2005.

Contributor to newspapers and magazines, including London Sunday Times and Cosmopolitan.

FOR CHILDREN; "BELFRY WITCHES" SERIES

A Spell of Witches, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 1999.

Mendax, the Mystery Cat, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 1999.

Red Stocking Rescue, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 1999.

Power Hat Panic, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 2000.

Broomsticks in Space, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 2000.

Witch You Were Here, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 2000.

The Belfry Witches, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 2003.

Cat and the Stinkwater War, illustrated by Adam Stower, Macmillan (London, England), 2003.

The Belfry Witches Fly Again, illustrated by Tony Ross, Macmillan (London, England), 2005.

ADAPTATIONS: The "Belfry Witches" series has been adapted as a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television series.

SIDELIGHTS: Kate Saunders is a journalist who has also written children's books and adult novels. Night Shall Overtake Us tells a World War I story about four young women who promise always to be friends. However, when two of them fall in love with the same man, the friendship is threatened. A Publishers Weekly contributor wrote that "each of the heroines' characters are developed in surprising and subtle ways." The reviewer went on to note the novel's "lively dialogue and carefully researched period details." Joseph Olshan, writing in People, commented that the author "exhibits a formidable knowledge of England's history and culture."

The Marrying Game tells the story of four daughters of a penniless and eccentric aristocrat. When their father dies and the estate is to be auctioned off, the Hasty sisters set out to get married with money, not love, as the primary criteria. A Kirkus Reviews contributor called the novel a "whimsical and witty comedy of manners," while a reviewer writing in Publishers Weekly found that "witty banter and spirited characters propel this lighthearted novel to its heartwarming … conclusion." Harriet Klausner, writing for AllReaders.com, recommended the book to "readers … who value highly in depth looks at people struggling to save a way of life."

In her novel Bachelor Boys Saunders tells the story of Phoebe and her two sons, who are nearing their forties but refuse to grow up and take on responsibility. Phoebe has leukemia and wants to see the boys, Ben and Fritz, get married before she dies, so longtime friend and next-door-neighbor Cassie sets out to help them. The ensuing tale presents a story "of matchmaking gone awry," according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor who The reviewer went on to call the novel a "satisfying and touching work." Rebecca Vnuk, writing in the Library Journal, called Bachelor Boys "a witty tale full of smartly written characters." Entertainment Weekly contributor Jennifer Armstrong wrote that the story contains "some genuinely funny and heart-wrenching moments."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Entertainment Weekly, August 5, 2005, Jennifer Armstrong, review of Bachelor Boys, p. 69.

Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2003, review of The Marrying Game, p. 990; July 1, 2005, review of Bachelor Boys, p. 706.

Library Journal, August 1, 2005, Rebecca Vnuk, review of Bachelor Boys, p. 71.

People, July 18, 1994, Joseph Olshan, review of Night Shall Overtake Us, p. 21.

Publishers Weekly, Sept 27, 1991, review of Revenge, p. 42; April 18, 1994, review of Night Shall Overtake Us, p. 46; June 20, 2005, review of Bachelor Boys, p. 58.