John W. Aldridge (1922–2007)

435. After the Lost Generation: A Critical Study of the Writers of Two Wars, by John W. Aldridge (read 4 June 1952) On June 3, 1952, as I was reading this book I said to myself: "In this critical study of postwar 'new' novelists the author exposes the utter sterility of their views, but purblindly ignores the obvious need for an end to disbelief." Among the 'new' novelists discussed: Vance Bourjaily, Norman Mailer, John Horne Burns, Irwin Shaw, Merle Miller, Gore Vidal, Paul Bowles, Truman Capote, and Frederick Buechner. [ I have as of 2011 read something by each of said authors except Burns]… (mais)