Reading the 20th Century discussion

Earlier this month the literary world lost author Tom Wolfe - one of the great American writers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Have you read much by him, and what were your favourites? I remember being gripped by The Bonfire of the Vanities when it was published, and it came up in our 1980s thread as one of the quintessential novels of the decade.

Here's a link to the Guardian obituary of Wolfe:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

I haven't read anything by him. I really have been left cold by some of the 'great' male US author's - Saul Bellow and Philip Roth in particular. Is he similar?

I love Wolfe's "classics" - Electric Kool Aid, Bonfire, The Right Stuff


Of their time but I am sure they'd all really stand up well.

I really should revisit him sometime. He'd probably make a good group read.

I remember Bonfire as hugely entertaining and thought-provoking - very long of course, so we would probably need to choose a shorter work if we did go for him as a group read in the future.

The only one I read was The Bonfire of the Vanities, which didn't impress me as much as I was expecting, but maybe the weight of expectation was too high by the time I read it...

I couldn't stand Bonfire. I don't think I made it past page 25. I do have The Right Stuff on my shelf. I loved the movie. Had it on tape for years. I just don't want to get burned like I felt like I did on Bonfire. Where I heard a lot of great stuff about the book and then I just didn't like it.

If you loved the film Jan then I am pretty confident you'll love the book too. One of my all time faves

I never saw the movie for Bonfire. Maybe my lack of interest about the movie should have tipped me off that I might not have any interest in the book either. Oh, well, it was either free or very cheap (used book sale).

I've only seen the film of The Right Stuff, which I loved - sounds as if I should add the book to my TBR

You really should - every bit as good Judy

The Right Stuff Kindle dead of the day today.

I've nominated The Bonfire of the Vanities once or twice as a group read but with no success and surprisingly little interest.


I've decided to reread it as I've had so much success with rereading books I loved decades ago

I mention it in passing in case anyone wants to buddy read it soon. I'd be surprised but the offer's there....

Actually I'd like to join, but my reading list for the rest of 2026 is full until sometime in February...

Thanks Alistair. I’ll most likely read it this year. It’s an itch I need to scratch. I’ll post any musings here and, if you get to it in early 2027, you could do the same and so we can compare notes

Having lived through the NYC of 70's and 80's, driven through the South Bronx and known a social X-ray (I think that was the term he used) I loved that book. But I'm not up for a reread.

I also liked his A Man in Full and loved The Right Stuff and The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test. What a writer.

Yes, me too Blaine. Looking forward to discovering how his work stands up all these decades later

I tried reading it once. Not too sure how far I got but I didn't like it. Got rid of the book.

I find that reaction amazing Jan. I remember being engrossed from the first page and devouring the whole thing in no time. I seem to recall it has quite a dramatic opening section that sets the scene for the whole book. I’ll report back when I enjoy my reread.