James's Fans (13)

James Purdy

Author profile

born

July 17, 1914 in Hicksville, Ohio, The United States

died

March 13, 2009

gender

male

genre

Literature & Fiction, Short Stories, Gay & Lesbian

influences

Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville

About this author

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James Otis Purdy's "dark, often savagely comic fiction evoked a psychic American landscape of deluded innocence, sexual obsession, violence and isolation." (NY Times obituary) He was an author of novels, short stories, poetry and plays. His works were controversial and often panned by critics but received praise from authors such as Edward Albee, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Gore Vidal.

Purdy grew up in Ohio before moving to Chicago. After serving in the Army, he attended the University of Puebla in Puebla, Mexico, the University of Chicago and the University of Madrid. From 1949 to 1953 he taught at Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis. In 1960 he moved to New York City, where his literary career took off after meeting photographer Car...more

combine editions
Books by James Purdy

Average rating: 3.90 · 574 ratings · 76 reviews · 33 distinct works

	Eustace Chisholm and the Works 3.91 avg rating — 76 ratings — published 1967 — 6 editions	My rating:
	In a Shallow Grave 4.12 avg rating — 72 ratings — published 1975 — 9 editions	My rating:
	Malcolm 3.88 avg rating — 80 ratings — published 1959 — 10 editions	My rating:
	Narrow Rooms 3.91 avg rating — 53 ratings — published 1978 — 4 editions	My rating:
	The Nephew 3.91 avg rating — 45 ratings — published 1960 — 6 editions	My rating:
	63: Dream Palace: Selected Stories, 1956-1987 4.27 avg rating — 37 ratings — 6 editions	My rating:
	Color of Darkness 4.39 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 1957 — 4 editions	My rating:
	I am Elijah Thrush 3.71 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 1972 — 5 editions	My rating:
	Cabot Wright Begins 3.80 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 1964 — 5 editions	My rating:
	Gertrude Of Stony Island Avenue 3.38 avg rating — 21 ratings — 4 editions	My rating:

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Quotes by James Purdy

“In a competitive society, the thing people fear the most is love.”
― James Purdy

3 people liked it

“New York has collapsed.”
― James Purdy

1 person liked it

“The New York Times Review of Books is toilet paper. Used.”
― James Purdy

1 person liked it

See all James Purdy's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

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The Seasonal Read...: 15.10 (WE WILL REMEMBER YOU )	36	201	Jan 06, 2010 06:09pm
Queereaders: Spring Reading Challenge - Official Record of Points	6	34	Jun 21, 2010 07:25am
Queereaders: 50 Gay and Lesbian Books Everybody Must Read	34	280	Apr 30, 2012 07:30am
Queereaders: Title Game	377	114	14 hours, 11 min ago

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