Complete Fiction of W. M. Spackman (American Literature (Dalkey Archive))

Described by Stanley Elkin as "this country's best-kept literary secret" and "a lost American classic," W. M. Spackman is one of the finest writers of the twentieth century. This omnibus edition includes all five of the author's previously published novels: Heyday (and here presented with revisions the author made shortly before his death); and the critically acclaimed novels published between 1978 and 1985: An Armful of Warm Girl (1978), A Presence with Secrets (1980), A Difference of Design (1983), and A Little Decorum, for Once (1985). The novel As I Sauntered Out, One Midcentury Morning is published here for the first time, as well as the author's only two short stories. An Omnibus Collection Of Novels And Short Stories By A Late Writer (1905-1990) Whose Witty Tales Of Adultery Found Few Publishers In Their Day. Typical Is The Novel, An Armful Of Warm Girl, Written In The 1950s And Dealing With The Many Affairs Of An Upper-class Roue. No Publisher Would Accept The Manuscript Which Took Nearly 20 Years To Sell. Heyday -- Armful Of Warm Girl -- Presence With Secrets -- Difference Of Design -- Little Decorum, For Once -- Dialogue At The End Of A Pursuit -- Declarations Of Intent -- As I Sauntered Out, One Midcentury Morning... Edited And With An Afterword By Steven Moore. Includes Bibliographical References.