Customer Reviews

Utopia and Cosmopolis: Globalization in the Era of American Literary Realism (New Americanists)

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Up until now, Peyser has been known mostly for his uproarious commentaries on NPR, and for his notorious flipping off of Cokie Roberts on the old David Brinkley show. (He has never been invited back.) I have to admit that when I first saw this book I just assumed it was another of his spoofs, but it turns out that Peyser is a bona fide literary critic. There is some very funny stuff about the vastly overrated Charlotte Perkins Gilman--Peyser cuts the old trog down to size--but mostly this is very smart and very down-to-earth cultural criticism. We have to be grateful for this book, but I for one cannot help but feel a little sad, too, since it would seem that with its publication P. has shed his youthful guise of hilarity, and that he has now stepped into full manhood, revealing what most of us have always suspected underlay the shimmering surface of his speech: knowledge of what Matt Arnold named "the eternal note of sadness."

Please say this review is helpful to you. They told me that if I post another unhelpful review they're going to kill my ferret.

Mr. Peyser's books have given my husband and I many hours of what we call "sunshowers," a pleasing concoction made of equal parts heart-tugging sentiment and good-hearted mirth. I am pleased to say that his latest work, UTOPIA AND COSMOPOLIS: GLOBALIZATION IN THE ERA OF AMERICAN LITERARY REALISM (New Americanists), does not disappoint in its delivery of this sweet confection. We recommend it to one and all. And if we may make a suggestion, we add that it is particularly affecting if read aloud.

I have yet to read Mr. Peyser's latest work, but it is at the very top of my summer reading list. When I see the name "Peyser" on the spine, I know the book will be a delight.

You know, this is not the sort of book I would normally read. But there it was, suddenly, on the coffee table one night. How it got there I have no idea. Just curious, I began to leaf through the pages, and the words began to resonate with me. Unable to sleep, I read it through in one sitting by candlelight. The next morning, I began to look at things around me differently. First, I removed several unessential appliances from the house in an effort to simplify my existence. Then it became time to de-clutter and I threw out several items I realized I had no more use for. Then, and this all seemed so logical in light of the things I'd read, I divorced the wife and sent her on her why. Sure, she cried a bit, but I knew I was doing the right thing. And I've never regretted it. This is, indeed, one of the best books I've read all year.

At least once in his life, every man is summoned to greatness. It's going to be more than once for Peyser.

It is an interesting book with a title that I really like. It is erotic without ever being "explicit." It starts off as being about American literature, ends up as so much more. It is one of two best books I read so far this year. The other book was A. Scott Berg's bio of Charles Lindbergh the famous pilot. Both books gave me goosebumps.

A friend recommended this book to me and although I usually don't go in for non-fiction, I'm really glad I made the effort with Peyser's book. It's a hell of a good read and on the basis of it I'd say that Peyser has more on the ball than your average professor-type, more on the ball than a lot of other folks too, if you ask me. I won't give away why this book is quite so special, only to say that it honestly changed my life and I recommend it to virtually anyone with a few hours to spare.

This winter, I took my family (grandma too!) on a pilgrimage to "Peyser Cottage," that grass-thatched hut (with all the amenities!) where Mr. Peyser labors over his books, lectures and essays until they meet his notoriously high standards. Although we only got within shouting distance of "That American Man," my wife was able to observe that he is indeed even more handsome in the flesh than on his dustjacket. And my kids (particularly the youngest) were delighted by the various humorous and "off-the-wall" knick-knacks with which Mr. Peyser decorates the exterior of his little home (the interior is, of course, "off-limits" to we observers). Well, that's all I have to say except that his new book is everyone's favorite around here but I wish there could be an audio-version for some of the oldsters with bad eyesight. Why is it that the books that would most benefit others if they were put on tape are the ones that don't ever get taped at all? Well, 'nuff said. And I hope my anecdote about our pilgrimage brought a smile to some of Mr. Peyser's many fans who no doubt visit this site frequently.

Peyser's title marks him as a (gratefully belated)ephebe of Raymond Williams but the book soon reveals this as a revisionist strategy designed to mask Peyser's true critical father, none other than Henry James himself. As such, the book is an interesting agonistic struggle and if James is (necessarily) the winner, the willingness to take up the fight in itself marks Peyser as a noteworthy critic with great ambition and great work ahead of him.