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Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews of Donald Barthelme Paperback – January 26, 1999
by
Donald Barthelme
(Author)
When Donald Barthelme died at the age of 54, he was perhaps the most imitated (if not emulated) practitioner of American literature. Caustic, slyly observant, transgressive, verbally scintillating, Barthelme's essays, stories, and novels redefined a generation of American letters and remain unparalleled for the way they capture our national pastimes and obsessions, but most of all for the way they caputure the strangeness of life.
Not-Knowing amounts to the posthumous manifesto of one of our premier literary modernists. Here are Barthelme's thoughts on writing (his own and others); his observations on art, architecture, film, and city life; interviews, including two never previously published; and meditations on everything from Superman III to the art of rendering "Melancholy Baby" on jazz banjolele. This is a rich and eclectic selection of work by the man Robert Coover has called "one of the great citizens of contemporary world letters."
Not-Knowing amounts to the posthumous manifesto of one of our premier literary modernists. Here are Barthelme's thoughts on writing (his own and others); his observations on art, architecture, film, and city life; interviews, including two never previously published; and meditations on everything from Superman III to the art of rendering "Melancholy Baby" on jazz banjolele. This is a rich and eclectic selection of work by the man Robert Coover has called "one of the great citizens of contemporary world letters."
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVintage
- Publication dateJanuary 26, 1999
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100679741208
- ISBN-13978-0679741206
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Editorial Reviews
Review
" Defiantly unclassifiable. . . . One of the most influential writers of his generation." --The Arizona Republic
"Such a warm and wise voice! Such a companionable volume." --Newsday
"Wonderful." --The Newark Star-Ledger
"The delight he offers readers is beyond question; his individuality is unmatched." --Los Angeles Times
"Such a warm and wise voice! Such a companionable volume." --Newsday
"Wonderful." --The Newark Star-Ledger
"The delight he offers readers is beyond question; his individuality is unmatched." --Los Angeles Times
From the Inside Flap
When Donald Barthelme died at the age of 54, he was perhaps the most imitated (if not emulated) practitioner of American literature. Caustic, slyly observant, transgressive, verbally scintillating, Barthelme's essays, stories, and novels redefined a generation of American letters and remain unparalleled for the way they capture our national pastimes and obsessions, but most of all for the way they caputure the strangeness of life.
Not-Knowing amounts to the posthumous manifesto of one of our premier literary modernists. Here are Barthelme's thoughts on writing (his own and others); his observations on art, architecture, film, and city life; interviews, including two never previously published; and meditations on everything from Superman III to the art of rendering "Melancholy Baby" on jazz banjolele. This is a rich and eclectic selection of work by the man Robert Coover has called "one of the great citizens of contemporary world letters."
Not-Knowing amounts to the posthumous manifesto of one of our premier literary modernists. Here are Barthelme's thoughts on writing (his own and others); his observations on art, architecture, film, and city life; interviews, including two never previously published; and meditations on everything from Superman III to the art of rendering "Melancholy Baby" on jazz banjolele. This is a rich and eclectic selection of work by the man Robert Coover has called "one of the great citizens of contemporary world letters."
From the Back Cover
" Defiantly unclassifiable. . . . One of the most influential writers of his generation." --The Arizona Republic
"Such a warm and wise voice! Such a companionable volume." --Newsday
"Wonderful." --The Newark Star-Ledger
"The delight he offers readers is beyond question; his individuality is unmatched." --Los Angeles Times
"Such a warm and wise voice! Such a companionable volume." --Newsday
"Wonderful." --The Newark Star-Ledger
"The delight he offers readers is beyond question; his individuality is unmatched." --Los Angeles Times
Product details
- Publisher : Vintage (January 26, 1999)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0679741208
- ISBN-13 : 978-0679741206
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,188,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13,877 in Essays (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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4.7 out of 5
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2015
Great stuff. Does not seem dated at all!
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2000
The remaining chunks of the master's prose reconnoiterings are brought to light here. Essays, reviews, pieces written on assignment ... what amazes is how closely Barthelme's nonfiction resembles his classic short stories. If you already own "40 Stories" and "60 Stories" and still find yourself GASPING for more Barthelme air ... this is for you.