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Christopher Morley's Philadelphia
Christopher Morley was one of the most celebrated American authors of the 1920s and 1930s. Best known as the author of Parnassus on Wheels and Kitty Foyle, Morley wrote for a popular audience that keenly appreciated his style, his wit, and his exuberant championing of the written word.
Morley wrote most of the pieces collected in this volume from 1918 to 1920, while a columnist for the Philadelphia Evening Ledger. His to "saunter" around town and the Philadelphia suburbs, and then – usually after a leisurely lunch – report back. The result was a series of lively essays that, read now, not only reveals a city’s colorful past, but sheds light on its much of the Philadelphia Morley explored remains intact for the native or visitor with the eye and patience to discover it. Morley’s best Philadelphia work, scattered among 12 volumes published during his lifetime, have been collected in this handsome new book, which includes period illustrations by Walter Jack Duncan and Frank Taylor, and a critical introduction by Ken Kalfus.
Published on May 5, 1990, on the 100th anniversary of Morley’s birth, Christopher Morley’s Philadelphia brings together numerous essays that have been out of print for 50 years or longer. The book joins Fordham University Press’s 1988 collection, Christopher Morley’s New York, as a lasting contribution to the Morley oeuvre.
Morley wrote most of the pieces collected in this volume from 1918 to 1920, while a columnist for the Philadelphia Evening Ledger. His to "saunter" around town and the Philadelphia suburbs, and then – usually after a leisurely lunch – report back. The result was a series of lively essays that, read now, not only reveals a city’s colorful past, but sheds light on its much of the Philadelphia Morley explored remains intact for the native or visitor with the eye and patience to discover it. Morley’s best Philadelphia work, scattered among 12 volumes published during his lifetime, have been collected in this handsome new book, which includes period illustrations by Walter Jack Duncan and Frank Taylor, and a critical introduction by Ken Kalfus.
Published on May 5, 1990, on the 100th anniversary of Morley’s birth, Christopher Morley’s Philadelphia brings together numerous essays that have been out of print for 50 years or longer. The book joins Fordham University Press’s 1988 collection, Christopher Morley’s New York, as a lasting contribution to the Morley oeuvre.
329 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
52 people want to read
About the author
Ken Kalfus
31 books74 followersHe was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Plainview, Long Island.
Kalfus started college at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, but dropped out after the first year. He attended various other universities including the New School for Social Research in Manhattan and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Kalfus started writing at an early age.
Kalfus started college at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, but dropped out after the first year. He attended various other universities including the New School for Social Research in Manhattan and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Kalfus started writing at an early age.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 22, 2023
During the corona virus shutdown, I discovered Christopher Morley by buying an old copy of Parnassus on Wheels. What a beautiful find that was! So, I have searched for more of Morley's writings. I was thrilled to discover that Morley started his life in Haverford PA, the very neighborhood where I started my second and happiest life. Reading his thoughts and descriptions of Philadelphia 100 years before I discovered Philly is a real treat.
December 22, 2012
Love it. Whenever I start feeling down about this city, somehow reading Morley's wanderings through it almost 100 years ago makes me feel better about it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews