Conversations with Wright Morris: Critical Views and Responses

This book is an attempt to approach the work of a leading American novelist from both sides of the looking-glass—from the opposite, but not necessarily opposing, points of view of the writer/creator and the reader/critic. In 1975, while the author was visiting professor of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, several scholar-critics (among them John W. Aldridge, Wayne C. Booth, and David Madden) were invited to speak about his craft and artistic aims and principles and to record conversations with him about issues growing from their addresses. Since Morris is also an important photographer, facets of his achievement in this field were considered by Peter C. Bunnell. In addition to four conversations, three lectures, and a portfolio of twelve photographs, this volume includes an essay by Wright Morris and a bibliography compiled by Robert L. Boyce.