The Strange Necessity: Essays and Reviews (Virago Modern Classics Ser. #2313)

By: Rebecca West

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Synopsis: In this intellectually challenging collection of literary criticism, Rebecca West undertakes the question of art&’s value, examining the works of her contemporaries and their places in history &“The Strange Necessity,&” one of the twelve essays collected here and first published in 1928, anchors West&’s quest to understand why art matters and how aesthetics of every caliber can not only inspire but reveal the author&’s inner world. Whether juxtaposing Ulysses&’s prose with Pavlov&’s research, or comparing Sinclair Lewis with actress and pianist Yvonne Printemps, West finds that a satisfying emotion overrides an artistic work&’s form. Her intricately crafted essays reveal her experience in the literary circles of the twenties and thirties and the important role this question played in her own writing. West&’s keenly observed criticism offers invaluable insight not only into her work but into her impressions of early twentieth century literature.