Thomas Wolfe
Biography
Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938) was an American novelist known for his autobiographical fiction and torrential, lyrical prose style. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, he studied at the University of North Carolina and Harvard before publishing his first novel, Look Homeward, Angel (1929), to great acclaim. The novel drew so heavily on his hometown that it caused a local scandal. Wolfe went on to write Of Time and the River (1935) and two posthumous novels edited from his enormous manuscripts. Despite dying of tuberculosis at age thirty-seven, Wolfe left a body of work that William Faulkner ranked among the greatest of their generation.
Common themes in Thomas Wolfe's work
American South
A recurring theme throughout Thomas Wolfe's writing.
Autobiographical fiction
A recurring theme throughout Thomas Wolfe's writing.
Lyrical prose
A recurring theme throughout Thomas Wolfe's writing.
Coming of age
A recurring theme throughout Thomas Wolfe's writing.
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Why Thomas Wolfe is still read today
Wolfe’s passionate, lyrical prose and his attempt to capture the totality of American experience make him one of the most distinctive voices in American literature. Look Homeward, Angel remains a landmark of American fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Thomas Wolfe?
Thomas Wolfe was an American novelist known for his lyrical, autobiographical fiction. Faulkner called him the greatest of their generation. Read his works free on TextStack.
What is Wolfe best known for?
Look Homeward, Angel (1929), a sprawling autobiographical novel about growing up in the American South.
How did Wolfe die?
He died of tuberculosis at age thirty-seven, leaving enormous manuscripts that were edited into two posthumous novels.
Where can I read Thomas Wolfe online?
TextStack offers Look Homeward, Angel free to read online.
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