Thomas Wolfe: An Illustrated Biography
In his introduction to the pictorial biography, Mitchell points out that in the 69 years since Wolfe's death, his reputation as a major American writer has suffered a decline, yet his books, especiallyLook Homeward, Angel, continue to be printed and read. Mitchell provides extracts from Wolfe's personal papers--correspondence, manuscripts, and notebooks--to document the course of his career and literary reputation. He begins with the period between 1900 and 1916 in Asheville, North Carolina, recounting Wolfe's birth, home, and family. Mitchell then chronicles the writer's college days and his apprenticeship as a playwright, from 1916 to 1924. There are chapters describing his work--Look Homeward, Angel;Of Time and the River;From Death to Morning; andThe Story of a Novel. Mitchell also discusses Wolfe's break with Scribner, his death and posthumous publications, and his reputation.George CohenCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved