The Writing on the Wall: And Other Literary Essays

By: Mary McCarthy

Sign Up Now! Already a Member? Log In
You must be logged into Bookshare to access this title. Learn about membership options, or view our freely available titles.

Synopsis: From Madame Bovary to Macbeth, this collection by Mary McCarthy offers surprising revelations about some of the world&’s most beloved worksShakespeare, Nabokov, Orwell, and Burroughs are just a few of the literary immortals featured in this engaging and thought-provoking volume.In one remarkable essay, McCarthy provides a lively discourse on the true nature of evil in Shakespeare&’s plays. Focusing on the character of Macbeth, she reveals why Lady Macbeth, who has to &“unsex herself&” and &“wear the pants,&” is the more human of the two. She tells us why the often-overlooked character of Madame Bovary&’s husband, Charles, is the true hero, and not Emma Bovary, whom Flaubert once famously said was himself. Also included here is McCarthy&’s impassioned defense of Hannah Arendt&’s controversial book Eichmann in Jerusalem, as well as a discussion of the reactionary leftist writers, and a look at why J. D. Salinger was the obvious successor to Hemingway.Distinguished by McCarthy&’s savage intelligence, clarity of thought, and utter lack of pretension, The Writing on the Wall is a timeless gem from an author who reveres the written word.This ebook features an illustrated biography of Mary McCarthy including rare images from the author&’s estate.