Review by Choice Review
The 1995 centenary of Wilson's birth was the occasion for symposia in New York and at Princeton; Jeffrey Meyers's major biography (Edmund Wilson, CH, Oct'95); From the Uncollected Edmund Wilson, ed. by Castronovo and Janet Groth (1995); Edmund Wilson: Centennial Reflections, ed. by Lewis Dabney (1997); and reprintings of his major books-- Axel's Castle, To the Finland Station, Memoirs of Hecate County, The American Earthquake, and Patriotic Gore. The present title, a revision of the author's Edmund Wilson (CH, Nov'85), updates Twayne's previous series entry on Wilson, Charles Frank's Edmund Wilson (CH, Sep'70). Others have written more perceptively about Wilson's work--Alfred Kazin, Lionel Trilling, George Steiner, Sherman Paul, Edward Said, Geoffrey Hartman--but these sources are less accessible to undergraduates and general readers. Castronovo covers Wilson's oeuvre and outlines the critical response it generated, in a slim volume that is clearly written, well organized, and fair-minded. Those seeking more challenging or detailed approaches to Wilson will want the books by Meyers and Dabney mentioned above; for literary criticism, Janet Groth's Edmund Wilson: A Critic for Our Time (CH, Sep'89) is very good. Wilson deserves more readers than he has, and Castronovo's volume may attract them. As with most books in this series, the chronology and bibliography are useful. G. Grieve-Carlson; Lebanon Valley College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
