Celebration: A Novel

By: Harvey Swados

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Synopsis: In old age, a political firebrand looks back at a life filled with social and political turmoilSamuel Lumen has reached the hearts of millions with his fearless advocacy for liberal causes. Now he&’s almost ninety years old, and the ideas he espoused as a young man, radical at the time, are woven into the political landscape of America, even as they&’ve been warped and diluted by younger generations. His ideological heirs want to honor his contributions with a banquet full of pomp and circumstance, but Lumen&’s not so sure he&’s ready to honor his heirs in return. Told through Lumen&’s diary entries, Celebration recounts his rich life, filled with achievement, disappointment, and an ever-growing awareness of the costs of restless radicalism. Published posthumously, Celebration is a fitting capstone to Swados&’s legendary career as a novelist and critic, and is an unforgettable look at the intersection of memory, nostalgia, and histories both personal and political.