Dearest Wilding

Dearest Wilding

Author: Yvette Eastman

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 2015-12-21

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 1512821128

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A candid and intimate chapter in the life of a modern woman, Yvette Eastman's vivid narrative also contributes richly to the life story of Theodore Dreiser. Dearest Wilding: A Memoir records the journey that took Yvette Szekely from an upper-middle-class scholar's home in Budapest to the intellectual and artistic centers of urban America in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1929 sixteen-year-old Yvette Szekely met Dreiser, who was fifty-eight at the time, and within a year he became her lover. Dreiser remained central to her life—as lover, father figure, and mentor—until his death in 1945. Her portrait of Dreiser, who is by no means idealized, is of a complex man—often troubled, suspicious, and jealous, but also caring and supportive. The book is much more than an account of a sixteen-year relationship, however. It describes Eastman's attempt to understand her bond with Dreiser, forcing her back to her childhood, to memories of her distinguished but distant father who remained in Hungary, and to the early experiences that made the aging Dreiser so important to her life. In an afterword, the author thoughtfully reflects on the patterns of love and loss that form part of her past. Dearest Wilding is a valuable primary source in literary history and among the last documents from this era. One of the most important figures in the memoir is Max Eastman, whose early relationship with Yvette Szekely resulted in marriage years later. As perhaps the last reminiscence of Dreiser and his circle that will ever appear, Dearest Wilding: A Memoir promises rewarding reading.


The Last Titan

The Last Titan

Author: Jerome Loving

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2005-03

Total Pages: 529

ISBN-13: 0520234812

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"Dreiser was a controversial figure in his time, not only because of his literary efforts, which included publication of the brutal and heartbreaking An American Tragedy in 1925, but also because of his personal life, which featured numerous sexual liaisons, included membership in the communist party, merited a 180-page FBI file, and ended in Hollywood. The Last Titan paints a full portrait of the mature Dreiser between the two world wars - through the roaring twenties, the stock market crash, and the Depression - and describes his contact with important figures, from Emma Goldman and H.L. Mencken to two presidents Roosevelt. Tracing Dreiser's literary roots to Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau, and especially Whitman, Loving adds a dimension to the writer's thought that has not been fully explored, and reshapes our understanding of his tremendous contribution to American literature in what will surely become the standard biography of one of America's best novelists."--BOOK JACKET.


Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated)

Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated)

Author: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-12-02

Total Pages: 5587

ISBN-13:

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Within the pages of 'Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated),' readers are treated to a grand tapestry of Christmas narratives that span a variety of literary styles and epochs. This collection brings together a rich assortment of tales that reflect the diverse ways in which the yuletide season has been celebrated, interpreted, and cherished across different cultures and time periods. Featuring a medley of works from revered authors such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy to less familiar yet equally poignant voices, this anthology bridges the gap between classic and contemporary, highlighting standout pieces that capture the essence of Christmas. The diversity in storytelling, from the magical realism of E. T. A. Hoffmann to the stark realism of Anton Chekhov, eloquently mirrors the multifaceted nature of Christmas itself, making this collection a significant literary treasure. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from various backgrounds, bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives to this anthology. Their cumulative oeuvre spans the entirety of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period rich with literary innovation and cultural shifts that influenced how Christmas was perceived and celebrated. Embedded within these narratives are reflections of the changing social, political, and economic climates of their times. This collective work aligns with significant historical and cultural movements, offering readers not just stories, but a window into the worldviews and societal norms of past eras. The varied voices in this collection, from the fervent abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe to the visionary fantasy of L. Frank Baum, collectively enrich our understanding of Christmas as a cultural phenomenon, providing a comprehensive overview of its impact on literature and society. 'Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated)' is an indispensable anthology for those who wish to explore the myriad ways in which Christmas has been depicted in literature. It invites readers into a world where Christmas is not just a holiday, but a pivotal theme around which narratives of hope, redemption, and transformation revolve. This collection offers a unique opportunity to delve into a multitude of perspectives, styles, and themes, all unified by the spirit of Christmas. It is recommended for scholars, students, and any reader seeking to understand the depth and breadth of Christmas literature through the ages, fostering a dialogue between the traditional and the contemporary, the magical and the mundane. In doing so, it promises to kindle the Christmas spirit in the hearts of its readers, making it a cherished volume for generations to come.


Dreiser's Russian Diary

Dreiser's Russian Diary

Author: Theodore Dreiser

Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Published: 1996-09-29

Total Pages: 326

ISBN-13: 9780812280913

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Theodore Dreiser's Russian Diary is an extended record of the American writer's travels throughout the Soviet Union in 1927-28. Dreiser was initially invited to Moscow for a week-long observance of the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution. He asked, and was granted, permission to make an extended tour of the country. This previously unpublished diary is a firsthand record of life in the USSR during the 1920s as seen by a leading American cultural figure. It is a valuable primary source, surely among the last from this period of modern history.


American Literary Naturalism

American Literary Naturalism

Author: Donald Pizer

Publisher: Anthem Press

Published: 2020-10-09

Total Pages: 166

ISBN-13: 178527547X

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The book collects Pizer’s late career essays on various writers and subjects related to American naturalism. Of these, two seek to describe the movement as a whole, six are on specific writers or works (with an emphasis on Theodore Dreiser), and two reprint informative interviews by Pizer on the subject. The essays reflect Pizer’s mature engagement of the subject he has spent a lifetime exploring.


Theodore Dreiser Recalled

Theodore Dreiser Recalled

Author: Donald Pizer

Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Published: 2017-07-31

Total Pages: 349

ISBN-13: 194295445X

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This book brings together for the first time, published and unpublished memoirs about the American novelist Theodore Dreiser. The recollections of Dreiser's contemporaries bring to the fore the writer's politics, personal life, and literary reception. Donald Pizer is one of the world's leading scholars of Dreiser and of naturalism.


Letters to Women

Letters to Women

Author: Theodore Dreiser

Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Published: 2010-10-01

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 0252091027

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Theodore Dreiser led a long and controversial life, almost always pursuing some serious question, and not rarely pursuing women. This collection, the second volume of Dreiser correspondence to be published by the University of Illinois Press, gathers previously unpublished letters Dreiser wrote to women between 1893 and 1945, many of them showing personal feelings Dreiser revealed nowhere else. Here he both preens and mocks himself, natters and scolds, relates his jaunts with Mencken and his skirmishes with editors and publishers. He admits his worries, bemoans his longings, and self-consciously embarks on love letters that are unafraid to smolder and flame. To one reader he sends “Kisses, Kisses, Kisses, for your sweety mouth” and urges his needy requests: “Write me a love-letter Honey girl.” Alongside such amorous play, he often expressed his deepest feelings on philosophical, religious, and social issues that characterize his public writing. Chronologically arranged and meticulously edited by Thomas P. Riggio, these letters reveal how wide and deep Dreiser’s needs were. Dreiser often discussed his writing in his letters to women friends, telling them what he wanted to do, where he thought he succeeded and failed, and seeking approval or criticism. By turns seductive, candid, coy, and informative, these letters provide an intimate view of a master writer who knew exactly what he was after.


The Most Wonderful Christmas Tales Of All Time

The Most Wonderful Christmas Tales Of All Time

Author: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-12-28

Total Pages: 8229

ISBN-13:

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The Most Wonderful Christmas Tales Of All Time stands as an unparalleled anthology, uniting the works of classic authors whose writings have shaped the literary landscape of Christmas storytelling. This collection showcases an array of styles, from the poetic musings of William Wordsworth and Emily Dickinson to the compelling narratives of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, offering readers a panoramic view of Christmas through various lenses of time, culture, and emotion. The anthology not only features tales of warmth and joy but also explores the depths of the human condition during this festive season, making it a profound study in the duality of the human experience. The ensemble of authors contributing to this anthology speaks volumes of its literary significance. Figures such as Charles Dickens, known for immortalizing Christmas in Victorian England, and Mark Twain, with his uniquely American perspective, come together with authors like Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, who bring a touch of European folklore and fairy tale magic. This multicultural and multispectacular compilation aligns with movements ranging from Romanticism to Realism, reflecting the evolving narrative of Christmas and its universal appeal across different epochs and societies. This anthology is recommended for readers eager to delve into the rich tapestry of Christmas literature. It offers an educational journey through the ages, revealing the shift in themes and sentiments surrounding the holiday season. Each story, poem, and tale within its pages is a mirror to the world from which it originated, providing insights not only into the essence of Christmas but also into the historical and cultural contexts of its time. Engaging with this collection promises not only a festive literary adventure but also a deeper appreciation for the myriad ways Christmas has been celebrated, contemplated, and cherished in literature.