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Thomas Wolfe was an American author whose autobiographical fiction novels drew inspiration from his early days in North Carolina and America during the Depression.
American author Thomas Wolfe is best known for his four autobiographical novels. The first two novels feature the hero Eugene Gant, the last two George Webber. But both of them are, in essence, the author, Thomas Wolfe, as he searches for truth and fulfillment and a way to balance his burning passion to write with his desire to live. His novels are filled with vivid prose and strong characterization. His eloquent, often stream of consciousness writing style has been compared to William Faulkner and James Joyce. Four Autobiographical Novels:
Look Homeward, Angel was published in 1929. The author described this novel as “a book made out of my life.” The book was immediately successful and recognized as one of great literary merit. However, the realistic portrayal of the South was not appreciated in his hometown—so much so that did not return for seven years after the book was published. His bitter experience formed the title for one of his future autobiographical novels, You can’t go Home Again. While his books may not have been welcomed by his friends and family, he began to receive great acclaim from critics and New York literary circles. Of Time and the RiverWolfe’s second autobiographical novel, a sequel to his first, was published in 1935. It also featured the hero Eugene Gant. This time, a more mature Gant moves away from Carolina to the wider circles of New York and Europe. These events correspond with Thomas Wolfe’s true-life experiences as the author explores the passage of time and the nature of artistic creativity. Posthumous Novels After his untimely death from tuberculosis of the brain in at the age of 38, his next two books were published posthumously. Both of these books were based on his unfinished manuscripts and were heavily edited by Edward Aswell. The Web and the RockThe Web and the Rock introduces the character George Webber, who bears strong similarities to both Eugene Gant and to Thomas Wolfe. Webber moves from Carolina to New York, where he is introduced to society by Esther Jack and the story tells of a successful young author living in the city. You Can’t Go Home AgainYou Can’t Go Home Again, a sequel to The Web and the Rock,is perhaps Wolfe’s best-known novel. It continues the tale of George Webber as America enters the depression era of the1930s. Just as in his experience with the publication of Look Homeward, Angel, the fictional character’s novel receives great acclaim, yet is met with hostility from his own hometown. Bitter and world-weary, Weber goes on both a physical and spiritual journey. After his travels in Europe cause further disilllusionment, he returns to America and gains renewed optimism and hope about the future. Sources: The Merriam-Webster Encylopedia of Literature,Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, The University of North Carolina Press, 1996. 'Click here to read more about Thomas Wolfe.
The copyright of the article Thomas Wolfe in Classic American Fiction is owned by Vickie Britton. Permission to republish Thomas Wolfe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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