Edith Wharton A to Z: The Essential Guide to the Life and Work (Critical Companion) [Paperback]

Sarah Bird Wright (Author), Clare Colquitt (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1999 | Series: Critical Companion

Edith Wharton is known for The House of Mirth, Ethan Frome, and The Age of Innocence, among other novels. The first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize (for The Age of Innocence, in 1921), her work has been the basis for numerous plays and films for over 70 years. Edith Wharton A to Z draws from a wide selection of original and secondary sources, including correspondence, reviews, and other writings by Wharton and the people in her life, to create a compelling portrait of one of America's major writers. More than 400 extensively cross-referenced entries include: Detailed synopses of all Wharton's work and the critical response to each Discussions of the important people in her life, including family, friends, and literary associates Analyses of the Gilded Age, Belle poque, and World War I Accounts of Wharton's travels throughout Europe and North Africa More than 90 photographs and illustrations, including Wharton's family and friends, her homes in New York, Massachusetts, and France, art and original dust jackets from published works, scenes from film and theatrical productions of her works, and personal memorabilia.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkable book. It stands somewhere between a curious, handsome coffee-table edition with over one hundred illustrations, and a serious research tool that presents Edith Wharton's 'Life and Work' in encyclopedic breadth and exhaustiveness. . . . Devotees and newcomers alike cannot help but be struck by the book's gracious compendiousness. It's as if we're being led on a tour of an extensive and eclectic archive by a knowing curator." --Dean Casale -- Edith Wharton Review, Fall 1999 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File; 1St Edition edition (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081603933X
• ISBN-13: 978-0816039333
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive Wharton resource!, April 28, 2000

By 

Jennifer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edith Wharton A to Z: The Essential Guide to the Life and Work (Critical Companion) (Paperback)

This book is amazing! It is a Wharton fan's dream! I was kindly sent this book by my dear friend in America and it has proved invaluable. As an English student, I will be writing my dissertation on the life and major works of this fantastic author, and this is exactly the kind of publication that will make the whole process not only easier, but enjoyable!

This is an excellent guide for Wharton fans and scholars alike. It comes with my full reccomendation! Whether reading for pleasure or for academic purposes, it is a remarkable book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book purchase, June 5, 2011

By 

Jane S. Gabin (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Edith Wharton A to Z: The Essential Reference to Her Life and Work (Critical Companion) (Hardcover)

The book was exactly as described, perfect for my class preparation, reasonably priced, and shipped quickly. What more could I ask?

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, February 23, 2008

By 

LinAnne "Lin22" (Puget Sound) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edith Wharton A to Z: The Essential Guide to the Life and Work (Critical Companion) (Paperback)

If you are interested in Edith Wharton, her novels, her friends, her influences, and the Gilded Age that she wrote about, then this Encyclopedia is a wonderful resource for you.

I refer to this Encyclopedia so often, that my copy has begun to get completely worn-out!

The photos in this book are in black and white, but that is actually fine with me, because as I see it, most Encyclopedia's photos are in black and white anyhow (eg: Brittania).

This Wharton Encyclopedia also cross-references well.
And on top of this, included in this Encyclopedia is a wonderful Bibliography.

As you can see by the various Sellers' listings, this is not an expensive Encyclopedia. Personally, I feel that this book is worth much more than the going rate.

Worth the money, for sure!