by Alfred Kazin
First published 1978
Alfred Kazin begins his memoir in 1940, when his reputation as a literary critic was taking shape. He traces the major moments that defined his subsequent decades, introducing readers to the writers, editors, and intellectuals who crossed his path. Kazin examines his relationships with the literary figures who dominated American culture through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. He describes the publishing world's evolution during these transformative years and his role within it. The book reveals how Kazin navigated the changing landscape of American letters while maintaining his critical voice. His observations capture both the public literary scene and the personal costs of a life spent analyzing the work of others. Kazin shows how his identity as both critic and New Yorker shaped his perspective on the cultural movements he witnessed and helped define.
Genres: literary-criticism, 20th-century, american, autobiography, biography-memoir, criticism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: memoir, personal-journey
Setting: New York
Period: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s
307 pages · Hardcover · Knopf