A hell of a tome that I’ve worked my way through throughout the year (my Kindle dutifully informing me as I started each chapter that it would take over an hour to read), McGilligan’s biography of Allen is a fascinating read. It ably treads a difficult line, neither hagiography nor hit piece, which given the circumstances is impressive indeed. Most interesting in its early part, most draining in the inevitably long section on the court case and the allegations, but all written with passion and interest.