1.
critical biography; biographical essay with commentary
A biography that includes the author's evaluation and criticism of the subject's life and work, rather than simply narrating facts.
夏目漱石の評伝を読んだ。
I read a critical biography of Natsume Soseki.
この評伝は画家の人生と作品を丁寧に描いている。
This critical biography carefully depicts the painter's life and works.
著者は長年の研究をもとに、従来の評価を覆す新しい評伝を書き上げた。
Based on years of research, the author produced a new critical biography that overturns previous assessments.
A compound of 評 (critique, evaluation) and 伝 (biography, account). Unlike a straightforward biography (伝記), a 評伝 includes the author's critical analysis and assessment of the subject. It is a literary genre particularly common in Japanese publishing.
Often used for biographies of writers, artists, politicians, and other notable figures where the author's interpretive perspective adds depth.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 評伝を書く: to write a critical biography
- 評伝を読む: to read a critical biography
- ～の評伝: a critical biography of ~
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 伝記: biography — a factual account of someone's life without critical commentary
- 自伝: autobiography — written by the subject themselves
- 列伝: biographical sketches of multiple people — a collection of short biographies