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Edmund Wilson: Our Neighbor from Talcottville
Recounts the literary critic's final years at his home in upstate New York, and his views on literature, politics, and life in general.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 13, 2012
I had occasion to be in the home in Talcottville about 20 years ago. Talcottville is 20 miles from our home. It is not occupied, but its caretaker who was doing some plastering work on our home showed us his work in the Talcottville home). There still, on the windows, are the diamond-stylus etched verse, etc. from the literary lights of Wilson's day. Fascinating.
This led to reading "Upstate" which I really enjoyed, not only because of Wilson's narrative skill, but because the places and names of the region are familiar. These years later I was fortunate to meet Dick Costa who now in his 90's is a neighbor of my father-in-law living in a senior independent living complex near Utica. Costa, who is a charming man, mentioned his book about Wilson which I was able to obtain through a used book site. The book presents an intimate view of Wilson by Costa who socialized and corresponded with him for the last ten years of Wilson's life. He presents a view of the man that is not seen in the scholarly major profiles published since his death. Costa was a journalist and English professor so his book combines a journalist's observations with literary "shop talk" with Wilson. (The book will have you accessing references frequently as it recounts their discussions of literary figures little known or forgotten today.) Costa is a scholar of H.G. Wells and W. Somerset Maughn and the reaction of Wilson to these authors is fascinating.
Anyone interested in Wilson, and a first-hand depiction of him, will like this book. It's not in print and don't bother with Amazon as they want a fortune for used copies. I went to Abe books who has a number of copies all at reasonable prices.
This led to reading "Upstate" which I really enjoyed, not only because of Wilson's narrative skill, but because the places and names of the region are familiar. These years later I was fortunate to meet Dick Costa who now in his 90's is a neighbor of my father-in-law living in a senior independent living complex near Utica. Costa, who is a charming man, mentioned his book about Wilson which I was able to obtain through a used book site. The book presents an intimate view of Wilson by Costa who socialized and corresponded with him for the last ten years of Wilson's life. He presents a view of the man that is not seen in the scholarly major profiles published since his death. Costa was a journalist and English professor so his book combines a journalist's observations with literary "shop talk" with Wilson. (The book will have you accessing references frequently as it recounts their discussions of literary figures little known or forgotten today.) Costa is a scholar of H.G. Wells and W. Somerset Maughn and the reaction of Wilson to these authors is fascinating.
Anyone interested in Wilson, and a first-hand depiction of him, will like this book. It's not in print and don't bother with Amazon as they want a fortune for used copies. I went to Abe books who has a number of copies all at reasonable prices.
May 7, 2010
Fun little romp with a guy who hung out with Wilson towards the end of THE GREAT MAN'S life...amusing little anecdotes of drunken tomfoolery and some interesting, fleeting insights into the speech habits and social style of the man, especially after he has faded from the public glow
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews