The Man Who Was Walter Mitty: The Life and Work of James Thurber ("The Man Who..." Dr. Seuss; James Thurber; John Howard Griffin Book 2)

This book offers new insights into James Thurber, the man who has been called "America's Twentieth Century Mark Twain." The book places Thurber in the context of his early years in Ohio -- his highly dysfunctional family, his curious relatives -- his memory -- which evolved into his fictional world of "confusion, eccentricity and chaos." James Thurber's (1894-1961) signature short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," is both fantasy and social criticism about an American daydreamer. In this biography, Fensch, a fellow Ohio native and prolific author (see The Man Who Was Dr. Seuss, reviewed above), relates Thurber to his fictional creations. He shows how his dominating mother, Mame, a true eccentric, provided a continuing source for the fictional women of his writings and drawings. The women created by Thurber were always stronger than his men, both mentally and physically, and only his dogs (which he loved) seemed balanced and right with this crazy world. Thurber worked in journalism in New York and Europe before joining The New Yorker, where he became friends with the writer E.B. White and editor Harold Ross. Fensch shows how both men were important influences in Thurber's short conversational prose, parodies, and fables. Critics were almost universally enthusiastic about Thurber's writing, but by 1937 the author was losing sight in his right eye and, sick with multiple ailments, became cantankerous and tedious. Fensch admirably uncovers the inimitable Thurber. Recommended for public libraries. Robert L. Kelly, Fort Wayne Community Schs., IN Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. This book offers new insights into James Thurber, the man who has been called "America's Twentieth Century Mark Twain." The book places Thurber in the context of his early years in Ohio — his highly dysfunctional family, his curious relatives — his memory — which evolved into his fictional world of "confusion, eccentricity and chaos." "The Man Who Was Walter Mitty" shows how his world was leavened by both humor and tragedy — how his world was shaped by total blindness when he was at the height of his fame. It examines Thurber himself as Walter Mitty— a remarkably timid, day-dreaming man , forever harassed, oppressed and conquered by Thurber women. Only Thurber's dog drawings looked at life with aplomb and sanity. Part of a 3-book series: "The Man Who ..." : "The Man Who Was Dr. Seuss" (Theodor Geisel); " The Man Who Was Walter Mitty "(Thurber); "The Man Who Changed His Skin" (John Howard Griffin). The Man Who Was Walter Mitty -- is a loving portrait which examines both the personal life and literary legacy of James Thurber -- his humor, blindness, word play, imagination, memory, his years at ""The New Yorker"" magazine, his dreams, his dogs, his drawings, his marriages, his articles and books. Part of a 3-book series: ""The Man Who Was The first literary and personal biography of James Thurber in 25 years, The Man Who Was Walter Mitty offers new insights into the man who has been caled "America's Twentieth Century Mark Twain." Examines the life and work of author/artist James Thurber, drawing comparisons between Thurber and the fictional, slightly skewed world of his favorite character Walter Mitty