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by Joseph Epstein

“Joseph Epstein may well be the only first-rate American literary critic who can be said to have―and deserve―fans. His essays have captivated readers with their wit, learning, and unabashed love of reading. . . .He has high standards for craftsmanship and a low tolerance for cant.” ― Washington Times Epstein writes about authors to whom he feels indebted, those he has revered and learned from. His range extends from Matthew Arnold to Tom Wolfe, from George Santayana to S.J. Perelman.

Genres: Essays, Literature, Nonfiction, Literary Criticism

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Joseph Epstein is the author of, among other books, Snobbery, Friendship, and Fabulous Small Jews. He has been editor of American Scholar and has written for the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Commentary, Town and Country, and other magazines.

Reviews

[Sketchbook · Rating 1 out of 5]

The odor you smell comes from this nasty little man..

[Lyle Krewson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this set of essays, while interesting, they were a bit flippant about the various authors. Having not read any essays previously by Epstein, I am at a loss what to conclude about his writing and opinions of the authors essayed. Probably says more about me than him, of course! C'est la vie!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biographical sketches of favorite authors by a charming proponent of the essay. Reading an Epstein essay is like spending an enjoyable hour with a careful professor of literature.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best contemporary essayists that I have read, Joseph Epstein has a style that is both felicitous and personal. In this collection he writes about authors that range from Chekhov to Tom Wolfe. Some of my personal favorites that he lionizes include Marguerite Yourcenar, Somerset Maugham, Forster, and Dreiser. The collection is a delight to read when you are not enjoying the authors about which Epstein writes in his own inimitable style.