Title
Nathanael West : Novels and Other Writings : The Dream Life of Balso Snell / Miss Lonelyhearts / A Cool Million / The Day of the,Used
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
Library of America offers the most complete collection ever published of Nathanael West's writings. Along with the four novels for which he is famous, this authoritative collection gathers stories, poetry, essays and plays, film scripts and treatments, and letters.In the Dadainspired The Dream Life of Balso Snell (1931), he freely mixes highflown literary and religious allusions with erotic and scatological humor. Miss Lonelyhearts (1933) presents, in a series of grotesque, starkly etched episodes, the spiritual breakdown of a newspaper columnist overwhelmed by his readers suffering. By contrast, A Cool Million (1934) reduces the eternal optimism of Horatio Algers novels to a brutal, cartoonish farce. In his last work, The Day of the Locust (1939), West renders with hallucinatory precision the reverse side of the Hollywood dream, as he choreographs a cast of failures, hasbeens, and deluded glamourseekers in what becomes an apocalyptic dance of death.Also included is a generous sampling of Wests other surviving work, ranging from freewheeling improvisations and grotesque comic tales to more mainstream work written with Hollywood or Broadway in mind, and including his antiwar satire Good Hunting and his adaptation of Francis Iles famous crime novel Before the Fact. The uncollected West shows him as a writer who embodied the contradictions and crazyquilt exuberance of American cultureand raises the question of how he might have developed had his career not been cut short. Selected correspondence with William Carlos Williams, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Malcolm Cowley, Bennett Cerf, and others rounds out the volume and sets Wests literary life in fuller context.LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nations literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, Americas best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acidfree paper that will last for centuries.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What are the main works included in Nathanael West's collection? A: This collection features Nathanael West's four famous novels: The Dream Life of Balso Snell, Miss Lonelyhearts, A Cool Million, and The Day of the Locust, along with his letters, poetry, essays, and plays.
- Q: Is this book suitable for readers unfamiliar with Nathanael West? A: Yes, this collection is an excellent introduction to Nathanael West's writings, providing a comprehensive overview of his literary contributions.
- Q: What is the publishing date of this edition? A: This edition was published on August 1, 1997.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book features a hardcover binding, ensuring durability and a premium feel.
- Q: How many pages does the collection contain? A: The collection contains a total of 840 pages.
- Q: What condition is the book in when purchased? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition', indicating it may show some signs of wear but is still functional and readable.
- Q: Does the book include any additional content beyond the novels? A: Yes, it includes stories, poetry, essays, plays, film scripts, and selected correspondence with notable literary figures.
- Q: What themes are explored in West's novels? A: West's novels often explore themes of disillusionment, the American dream, and the complexities of human experiences, utilizing a blend of humor and stark realism.
- Q: What is the significance of the Library of America series? A: The Library of America series aims to preserve America's literary heritage by publishing authoritative editions of significant works, ensuring they remain in print for future generations.
- Q: Is there any specific audience that would benefit from this collection? A: This collection is ideal for students, scholars, and general readers interested in American literature, modernist writing, and the works of Nathanael West.