A classic interpretation of literature from America's golden age-including the work of Howells, Wharton, Lewis, Cather, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner. New Preface by the Author; Index.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Kazin rounds up the usual suspects in this 1942 survey of American literature. Though many of the authors discussed went on to greater glory and hence more in-depth studies after its publication (Steinbeck, Hemingway, etc.), the book still has its value for students of fiction. This edition contains a new, reflective introduction by the author.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Kazin rounds up the usual suspects in this 1942 survey of American literature. Though many of the authors discussed went on to greater glory and hence more in-depth studies after its publication (Steinbeck, Hemingway, etc.), the book still has its value for students of fiction. This edition contains a new, reflective introduction by the author.
(Library Journal ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
(Library Journal ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By "jkauzlar"
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent review of the literature of the late 19th century up until the first third or so of the 20th. It is written with the purpose of finding a higher meaning to the changes undergoing literature during this time period, and Kazin does a remarkable job of keeping this long book interesting. The book helped me understand how many of my favorite authors fit into the 'grand scheme of literature' as well as how authors and individual books fit into political and social history. It was also useful for discovering new authors that I may like to read someday. I would recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest in literature.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Alfred Kazin was by any reasonable measure one of America's greatest critics and men of letters, a reader who read first of all as a human being full of questions, passions, and--alas, overworked noun--heart. This is the astounding apprenticeship piece by the 27 year old Kazin. Does it have weaknesses? Surely. Young Kazin was blazing trails, as well as sharpening his tools, making way for future works of the journeyman. But it also sets a standard that those of us, like myself, who are nearly twice the age of the then young author, could scarcely live up to.
Judged from a mature perspective, four stars. Judged as a work of youth, more than five.
Young critics scholars, read and weep--and, of course, learn.
Judged from a mature perspective, four stars. Judged as a work of youth, more than five.
Young critics scholars, read and weep--and, of course, learn.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Kazin or Edmund Wilson, take your pick for the most penetrating 20th century American literary critic. 'On Native Grounds', Kazin's magnum, is especially good on American realism. Kazin is an engaging raconteur, fills in the common lacunae, and has a capacious thumbnail - very useful for the University level student, essential for grad and post grad work in american lit.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
American realism and its aftermath
Alfred Kazin was one of the great literary critics of his generation. 'On Native Grounds' a study of late nineteenth- century and early twentieth century American Literature is his... Read more
Published on July 13, 2009 by Shalom Freedman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Fails to recognize the beauty of Faulkner's lingusitc style
Kazin in his 1942 assessment of Faulkner's writing as "incoherent and ungrammatical" is completely without merit. Read more
Published on November 2, 2003 by Jeffrey A. Timberlake
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 130
books:
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51
books
cite this book:
See all 51 books citing this book
- The Liberation of American Literature by Victor Francis Calverton on 5 pages
- This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald on 4 pages
- A Traveler from Altruria by W. D. Howells on 4 pages
- The Education of Henry Adams: An Autobiography (Oxford World's Classics) by Henry Adams on page 283, Index, and Back Matter
- Principles of Literary Criticism (Routledge Classics) by I.A. Richards on page 404, page 405, and Back Matter
See all 130 books this book cites
- Around Quitting Time: Work and Middle-Class Fantasy in American Fiction (New Americanists) by Robert Seguin in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Radical Representations: Politics and Form in U.S. Proletarian Fiction, 1929–1941 (Post-Contemporary Interventions) by Barbara Foley on page 20, and page 27
- Imagining Columbus: The Literary Voyage by Ilan Stavans in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Exposes and Excess: Muckraking in America, 1900/2000 (Personal Takes) by Cecelia Tichi on page 10, and Back Matter
- The Amish in the American Imagination (Center Books in Anabaptist Studies) by David L. Weaver-Zercher in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 51 books citing this book
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