Barbara Gregorich - Charlie Chan's Poppa: Earl Derr Biggers

One snowy night in January, 1912, he returned to work after a Warren visit. In his absence, the newspaper had been sold to The Boston Herald. The editor handed Biggers a cigar.

"What does this mean?" asked Biggers. "Was I fired last Saturday, or is it next week?"

"It was last Saturday," replied the editor.

Biggers left the newspaper office (without back pay) and walked into a blizzard. Looking back on that night, he reflected: "By the time I reached Boston Common the intensity of the blizzard had increased, the snow swirled madly through the dusk, the lights in the office buildings along Tremont Street showed a dim yellow in the white light. I stood there in that wintry scene, wrapped warmly in my beautiful coat, broke, jobless, but not unhappy. Go back to a newspaper? No, I'd always intended to write a novel. Now was the time."

Losing his job and walking into a blizzard was the first major crossroad in Biggers' life. It stopped him not at all. Combining that wintry night and the symbolic crossroads with an inn situated atop a mountain, he developed a plot and sat down to write his first novel.

— from "The Raccoon Coat" section of Charlie Chan's Poppa: Earl Derr Biggers

Charlie Chan's Poppa: Earl Derr Biggers

Although his first novel, Seven Keys to Baldpate, made Earl Derr Biggers famous across the country, it wasn't until he wrote his first Charlie Chan novel that he became famous around the world. Based on the correspondence between Biggers and his publisher, Bobbs-Merrill, Charlie Chan's Poppa: Earl Derr Biggers examines the novels that Biggers wrote, how they were or weren't promoted, and his initial ambuity about committing to a mystery series. Buy now.

This is the most detailed and thorough biography of Biggers I've seen, fleshing out without contradicting the picture of Charlie Chan's creator one would imagine from his work and earlier accounts of his life: kind, humorous, honest, responsible, gently iconoclastic, family-centered, and dogged by ill health. . . .

This book should be read by every admirer of Biggers and his immortal creation.

— Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene

Barbara Gregorich has done a fantastic job researching and analyzing one of America's most prolific--and forgotten--authors. She not only reveals tons more information than in her '99 biography in "Timeline" magazine (the Ohio Historic Society publication), but goes on to analyze, hypothesize, and reveal many of the reasons Earl Derr Biggers created the enigmatic sleuth, Charlie Chan, and then continued him as a series. Also fascinating, is her dissection of the novels for plot, texture, clues, and red herrings. This book solidifies Gregorich, beyond a doubt, as Earl Derr Biggers' official biographer!

— Honolulu Lou, Amazon review

Anything with the name Charlie Chan on it always gets my attention and this superbly written book is a welcome addition to my library. The writer certainly loves her subject and it shows on every page. The research and attention to detail is beyond reproach. If you have even a passing interest in Charlie Chan or the work of Earl Derr Biggers and want to learn more you will adore this book. Beautifully written and a book I will read again and again.

— Lee Wood, Reviewed on Amazon UK

As someone who discovered his enthusiasm for Charlie Chan in the 1980s with Warner Oland's memorable portrayal in "Charlie Chan in Egypt" and only later explored the compelling novels by Earl Derr Biggers, I have always had a deep admiration for the complex character of Charlie Chan and his creator. Barbara Gregorich's "Charlie Chan's Papa: Earl Derr Biggers" gave me a completely new perspective by illuminating not only the story behind the man who brought Charlie Chan to life, but also the cultural and historical contexts that shaped Biggers' writing.

Gregorich's book is much more than a biography. It is a careful and compelling examination of the life of Earl Derr Biggers, his inspirations, and the path that led him to become one of the most influential detectives in literature. As someone who appreciates both Charlie Chan's cinematic and literary portrayals, it was particularly instructive for me to learn how Biggers' own life experiences and his critical examination of contemporary stereotypes influenced Chan's development.

I was particularly impressed by how Gregorich succeeded in making the complexity of Biggers' character and literary work accessible. Her detailed analysis of the six Charlie Chan novels and insights into Biggers' writing process gave me a new appreciation for the depth and richness of these works. Every time I read the novels, I discover something new that testifies to Gregorich's ability to uncover the complex layers of Biggers' work.

"Charlie Chan's Papa: Earl Derr Biggers" is a must for every Charlie Chan fan. It not only provides a rich backstory about Earl Derr Biggers and his immortal character, but also celebrates the literary legacy he left behind. Gregorich's skilful presentation not only brings the author closer, but also deepens the understanding of the stories that have made Charlie Chan an enduring symbol of intelligence, wit and humanity.

As a lifelong fan of Charlie Chan, I can only warmly recommend "Charlie Chan's Papa: Earl Derr Biggers" by Barbara Gregorich. This book is a valuable addition to the literature about one of the greatest literary detectives and his remarkable creator. It confirms that the fascination for Charlie Chan and Earl Derr Biggers is more vivid than ever.

— Deusenberger, Amazon DE, Translated by Amazon

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The Writer Who Didn't Realize How Famous His Character Would Become, Video