The Man Who Was Walter Mitty: The Life and Work of James Thurber - Hardcover

Fensch, Thomas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0930751132 ISBN 13: 9780930751135

Publisher: Sharon's Books, 2001

Synopsis

The first literary and personal biography of James Thurber in 25 years, The Man Who Was Walter Mitty offers new insights into the man who has been caled "America's Twentieth Century Mark Twain."

About this title

Reviews

James Thurber's (1894-1961) signature short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," is both fantasy and social criticism about an American daydreamer. In this biography, Fensch, a fellow Ohio native and prolific author (see The Man Who Was Dr. Seuss, reviewed above), relates Thurber to his fictional creations. He shows how his dominating mother, Mame, a true eccentric, provided a continuing source for the fictional women of his writings and drawings. The women created by Thurber were always stronger than his men, both mentally and physically, and only his dogs (which he loved) seemed balanced and right with this crazy world. Thurber worked in journalism in New York and Europe before joining The New Yorker, where he became friends with the writer E.B. White and editor Harold Ross. Fensch shows how both men were important influences in Thurber's short conversational prose, parodies, and fables. Critics were almost universally enthusiastic about Thurber's writing, but by 1937 the author was losing sight in his right eye and, sick with multiple ailments, became cantankerous and tedious. Fensch admirably uncovers the inimitable Thurber. Recommended for public libraries. Robert L. Kelly, Fort Wayne Community Schs., IN
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sharon's Books
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0930751132
• ISBN 13: 9780930751135
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 384