William Maxwell
William Keepers Maxwell Jr. was an American novelist, editor, and essayist. He served as a fiction editor at The New Yorker for 40 years, where he worked with many notable authors. Maxwell's own literary works include novels, short stories, and essays, often exploring themes of family and memory.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. So Long, See You Tomorrow
The novel revolves around a young boy in Illinois who befriends a new classmate, Cletus, whose father has been murdered. The protagonist becomes obsessed with the murder, imagining the events leading up to the tragedy from the perspectives of the involved parties. The novel explores themes of memory, guilt, and the impact of trauma on childhood friendships.
The 397th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. The Chateau
This novel unfolds in the post-World War II era, focusing on an American couple, Harold and Barbara Rhodes, who travel to France for a summer vacation. Their stay at a chateau becomes a lens through which the complexities of Franco-American relations, personal transformation, and the lingering shadows of war are explored. As the couple navigates cultural misunderstandings and the nuances of human relationships, the narrative delves into themes of love, the search for understanding, and the quest for personal identity against the backdrop of a Europe rebuilding itself. The story is a poignant examination of the challenges and rewards of seeking connection and comprehension across cultural divides.
The 4151st Greatest Book of All Time -
3. The Element Of Lavishness
"The Element of Lavishness" is a collection of letters exchanged between two prominent 20th-century writers over a span of four decades. The correspondence reveals the deep friendship and mutual respect that flourished between the pair as they discussed their personal lives, shared their writing processes, and offered insights and critiques on each other's works. The letters not only highlight the evolution of their literary styles but also reflect the broader cultural and social changes occurring during their time, providing readers with a rich historical context and a rare glimpse into the intimate dynamics of a literary friendship.
The 10064th Greatest Book of All Time
