March 18 is the birthday of legendary American author John Updike. Best known for the Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom series, Updike published in a variety of genres beyond fiction, including poetry, literary criticism, short stories, and even children’s books.
Updike’s writing career began while he was a student at Harvard University, where he often wrote for the Harvard Lampoon. He aspired to be a cartoonist, and after graduation Updike headed to the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art. When his family moved to New York, Updike took a position with The New Yorker. He worked there full time for only two years but continued to contribute to the magazine long after, undoubtedly earning him the attention of America’s literati.
Updike and his family eventually relocated to Ipswich, Massachusetts. It was here that Updike wroteRabbit Run (1960), which was later named to Time’s list of All-TIME 100 Greatest Novels. Updike also penned The Centaur (1963) during his Ipswich years, and the novel earned him the National Book Award. Updike would win the award again for Rabbit is Rich 1980). This novel also earned the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making it one of very few novels to win all three major American literary prizes.
Rabbit at Rest (1990) completed the Rabbit series—and garnered Updike a second Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Only William Faulkner and Booth Tarkington have also won the prize twice. Updike often credited the Rabbit character with inspiring him to greatness, nothing that Rabbit was “a brother to me, and a good friend. He opened me up as a writer.”
Meanwhile Updike built a reputation as a writer who documented the infidelities and marital disharmony of middle America, a topic that won him criticism from many different camps. The short story”Couples” (1968), his most famous work on this theme, landed him on the cover of Time under the headline “The Adulterous Society.” Updike addressed the subject of romantic relationships differently in the Maple short stories, which reflect his own marital struggles.
In 1978, Updike broke new ground as an author. He penned The Coup, a novel chronicling an African dictatorship. His next novel, The Witches of Eastwick (1984) also represented new territory for the author. The novel was adapted for the big screen and made its way to Harold Bloom’s list of canonical 20th-century literature. Its sequel, The Widows of Eastwick (2008) was Updike’s last published novel.
Because Updike was both talented and prolific, his works are fertile ground for discerning collectors of rare books. Jack DeBellies and Michael Broomfield published a bibliography of Updike’s works, an instrumental tool to any Updike collector.
Ever hear of “The Turnip Princess”? This unlikely fairy tale is one of over 500 recently discovered in Germany. Compiled by Franz Xaver von Schönwerth in the mid-1800’s, the stories have been locked away in an archive for over 150 years.
Though “The Turnip Princess” may not be the next “Cinderella,” the stories certainly represent hidden gems of cultural history and illustrate the rich tradition of the fairy tale. The canon of children’s literature and folklore are always evolving; our canon will soon undoubtedly include several outstanding authors and illustrators, most notably Charles van Sandwyk.
Charles van Sandwyk’s Exceptional Illustrated Literature
The works of Charles van Sandwyk transcend even the traditional fairy tale. His richly illustrated books have earned recognition not only among children’s book lovers, but also among rare book collectors. Even among fine press books, van Sandwyk’s books stand out for their whimsical illustrations, delicate construction, and captivating stories.
His tales follow the tradition of Aesop’s fables and Beatrix Potter’s stories; van Sandwyk creates charming worlds populated by animals. Simple, elegant prose complements the fine illustrations.
Collectors of Charles van Sandwyk’s books rely on Charles Van Sandwyk: An Interim Bibliography 1983 to 2000. The first book published by Heavenly Monkey, the bibliography itself is a lovely work, collectible in its own right.
Today is the 85th birthday of legendary author Gabriel García Márquez. The Nobel laureate began his writing career as a journalist but established himself as one of the most important authors of the twentieth century. Here’s a look at a few facts you probably didn’t know about Gabriel García Márquez.
His mother and father’s courtship inspired Love in the Time of Cholera. His father wooed his mother ardently—over the objections of her father, who eventually relented and gave the couple his blessing.
García Márquez’s grandfather was a Liberal, a war hero, and an incredible storyteller. He would tell young Gabriel stories of civil war, political upheaval, and revolution rather than fairy tales.
Meanwhile, his grandmother filled his head with stories of magic, omens, and superstitions. It was in her stories that García Márquez found the roots of magical realism.
García Márquez began his education in law at the University of Cartagena. He soon began writing for the local newspaper and eventually left his studies to pursue journalism.
García Márquez sparked national furor with his 1955 The Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor, which upended the government’s official story that a storm had caused a tragic shipwreck. The story first appeared in installments in El Espectador, but was published as a book in 1970.
It took seven years for García Márquez to find a publisher for his first book, Leaf Storm. He has said that this is his favorite of his novels because it’s the most spontaneous and sincere.
To support his family during the composition of One Hundred Years of Solitude, García Márquez sold his car. But the novel took much longer than expected, so the family lived on credit and owed the landlord nine months’ rent by the time the book was finished.
García Márquez calls Autumn of the Patriarch a “poem on the solitude of power.” He was moved to write it after watching Venezuelan dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez—the first dictator in Latin America to fall.
Though he resolved not to publish again until after Pinochet lost power in Chile, García Márquez finally published Chronicle of a Death Foretold before Pinochet was ousted because he “could not remain silent in the face of injustice and oppression.”
García Márquez will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire people in all walks of life, all over the world.
Books Tell You Why is proud to introduce David Bruce Smith. He specializes in creating, designing, and writing limited-edition books on a variety of subjects: authors, historic figures, artists, and leaders. You’ll find his books Tennessee: Three Plays by Tennessee Williams and Thirteen Miles from Providence: A Tale of Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers’ Home featured on our website. David recently sat down with us to discuss his inspiration, working with his mom, and even his thoughts on e-books.
Q:How long have you been creating your own books?
Smith: For over twenty years. I started out in the family real estate business, but all the while I had a magazine, wrote book reviews, and even published several books. After the family business was sold, I was delighted to devote myself fully to writing and publishing.
Q: Why fine press books? Why not more traditional authorship and publishing?
Smith: These books are more works of art. It’s different than just going to the bookstore and buying a paperback. Especially now, these kinds of books are less common. I wanted to create an experience, where someone could actually feel, touch, and learn something about the craft as they read. It’s about so much more than simply creating a book. This is what I think people lose when they go to e-readers—there’s no record of the actual experience. You read, and then you’re done. People are being desensitized to the true experience of reading.
Q: What inspired Three Miles from Providence?
Smith: My parents are involved in the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and I went with them to visit the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. This was Fall, 2006, and the Lincoln cottage was about to be re-inaugurated. This was where Lincoln wrote the third draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, so it’s an important but little-known landmark. I wanted to create a book to commemorate and publicize this event. Meanwhile it dovetails nicely with the 151st anniversary of the Civil War.
That book really is an experience, especially a tactile experience. I wanted the book itself to look like something a soldier would carry, so I did quite a bit of research on that, too.
Q: What inspired you to create Tennessee?
Smith: Back in 2004, there was a true revival of Tennessee Williams’ works across the country, including here in DC. I approached Michael Kahn, Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Theater Company, about collaborating on a new edition of Tennessee’s plays, and he was very supportive. This year would be Tennessee Williams’ 101st birthday, and as Michael says, Tennessee Williams “is the American Shakespeare.”
Q: Your mom, Clarice Smith, illustrated Thirteen Miles from Providence and Tennessee. Tell us a little about that collaboration.
Smith: We’ve been working together for 20 years, and she’s by far my favorite illustrator to work with. In the beginning, there was a bit of that mother-son dynamic. But now it’s just two people who happen to be mother and son. There really isn’t anybody I’d rather work with.
Q: How has Clarice influenced your work?
Smith: She does a variety of genres, and whatever she paints, draws, whatever, you want to be in that place. Her art has this warmth, and I always try to translate that warmth into my prose. I try to keep the language simple and memorable, without lots of fancy words.
Look for more articles by David soon on our blog! Have questions for him? Post them here or visit him online.
On February 20, 2012, people across America will celebrate Presidents Day, a holiday commemorating the leaders who have built the country. Though the day honors all presidents, it was originally intended to recognize George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Presidents as Authors
Presidents are famously men of letters: educated, erudite, and charismatic. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and other founding fathers established their reputation by contributing to beautifully written documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Modern presidents have followed that literary tradition, writing books that capture not only their own experiences, but also the evolution of a nation.
Herbert Hoover completely eschewed writing about his life as president, opting instead to write about his favorite pastime in Fishing for Fun and to Wash Your Soul.
Gerald Ford is the author of the most diverse works; he not only wrote the autobiography A Time to Heal, but also the much lighter fare, Humor and the Presidency.
Bill Clinton took up the pen to write My Life and Giving¸ both of which have remained popular.
President Barack Obama has already joined the ranks of presidential authors with The Audacity of Hope and Of Thee I Sing.
Numerous other luminaries, including first ladies and world leaders, have contributed to our understanding of US presidents and our country. These books make exceptional additions to the personal library.
The nominations are in, and “Hugo” tops the list with 11 Academy Award nominations. The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, earned nominations for best film and best director. It is one more example of books’ inspiring movies we love!
Already an Award-Winning Story
“Hugo” is based on the 2007 book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which won the Caldecott Medal in 2008. Written and illustrated by Brian Selznick, it was the first novel to earn the honor. The book has 533 page, which include 284 illustrations. Selznick says The Invention of Hugo Cabret is “not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things.”
Selznick drew inspiration from the life of French filmmaker Georges Méliès. Méliès had an extensive collection of automata, or wind-up figures, though these have long since been lost or sold. The filmmaker died without having made his fortune, even though his films were exceptionally popular in the United States. Selznick also chose to set the book in a Paris railway station because Méliès actually had a booth there—his door is one of the illustrations in the novel.
In the book, Méliès is godfather to Isabelle, who accompanies the orphaned Hugo on most of his adventures. The 12-year-old Hugo works in a busy Paris rail station as a clock keeper. The beauty of the illustrations and the ingenuity of the story made the novel an easy choice for a movie adaptation, and there’s even talk of a French television series based on the novel.
As the movie has garnered so much attention, the book has once again found a well deserved place in the spotlight. Signed first editions will make exceptional additions for collectors who focus on movie tie-ins, Caldecott winners, or children’s books. What’s your favorite book that has found its way to the big screen? And what are your predictions for the Academy Awards?
This month Tom Cruise has been making headlines as Ethan Hunt in the latest “Mission Impossible” movie. But before “Mission Impossible,” another famous spy arrested our imagination: James Bond. The dashing and debonair 007 was the creation of Ian Fleming, who has earned a reputation as a legendary author.
Inspiration in Action
Fleming got his start as a journalist, but later entered the British Royal Navy as an intelligence officer. It was here that he gained experience in the world of espionage. Fleming’s first appointment was as a personal assistant to Rear Admiral John Godfrey, who was the Director of Naval Intelligence. Though Fleming had no real qualifications for the position, it proved an excellent fit, and he quickly grew into the role.
Fleming later worked with Godfrey, Colonel “Wild Bill” Donovan, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt to coordinate information among various intelligence agencies, including the US agency that eventually evolved into the CIA. That experience prepared Fleming for Operation Golden Eye, an endeavor to secure an intelligence framework in Spain if the country were taken over by Germany.
Transition to Authorship
Before Fleming ever had aspirations of authorship, he was an unabashed bibliophile who began building an extensive personal library in 1929. Fleming concentrated heavily on books about science and technology, though he also collected other “books that made things happen.” His wide reading is often evident in his own work.
In 1942, Fleming visited Jamaica and determined that he’d build a home there after World War II ended. Three years later, Fleming named his estate Goldeneye, not only after his own eponymous military operation, but also after Carson McCullers’ Reflections in a Golden Eye. He didn’t set about writing his own novel until 1952.
The manuscript for Fleming’s first novel, Casino Royale, took Fleming only a few months to write. He was reluctant to share the novel because, as he told close friend William Plomer, “the element suspense is completely absent.”
Fleming himself designed the original cover art for Casino Royale, and the book sold out in the UK in less than a month. Subsequent printings remained equally popular.
The real James Bond was a British ornithologist who authored Birds of the West Indies. The book attained world fame as Fleming, a birdwatcher himself, chose the name of its author for the spy hero of Casino Royale, as he was looking for a name as “ordinary as possible.” A reference to this connection pops up in the 2002 adaptation of “Die Another Day,” which stars Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry (watcha clip here).
Fleming’s brother Peter provided significant inspiration for James Bond’s character. Peter served as an intelligence officer behind the lines in Norway and Greece.
From 1953 to 1964, Fleming wrote a new Bond novel every year during his annual holiday in Jamaica. By 1966, twelve novels and two short-story collections had been published. The last two (Man with the Golden Gunand Octopussy and the Living Daylights) were published after Fleming’s death.
Only Bond’s first five novels received positive reviews from critics. The tides began to turn with Dr. No, which received extremely harsh criticism from a number of prominent reviewers. Despite the reviews, Fleming’s work remained wildly popular among readers.
To date, Ian Fleming’s Bond books are some of the most popular fiction books of all time; they have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Seven different actors have played James Bond, and the character still continues to capture our imagination.
Charles Dickens has inspired generations of writers, readers, and book lovers. Born in 1812, Dickens earned the reputation of preeminent novelist of the Victorian era. His contributions to literature mean that Charles Dickens’ books remain incredibly appealing to rare book collectors. Bet you didn’t know these tidbits about Charles Dickens:
Dickens’ novels and stories first appeared in monthly or serial format. Most authors of his day would write entire novels, and publish sections at a time. Dickens, on the other hand, wrote each episode as he went along.
His novels and short stories are so popular that they have never gone out of print.
Dickens’ father, John, was a notorious spendthrift who eventually ended up in debtors’ prison. The rest of the family soon joined him–with the exception of 12-year-old Charles, who went to live with an old family friend.
Dickens was eventually forced to leave school and take a job in a blacking factory. He worked ten-hour days in often cruel conditions. Dickens’ experience there formed the foundation of Dickens’ opinions on labor and socioeconomic conditions.
For almost four years, Dickens served as a court reporter. That inside look at the court system informed novels like Dombey and Son. It also provided Dickens’ contemporaries with an enlightening glimpse at how England’s court system really worked.
Dickens met his first love, Maria Beadnell, in 1830. Her parents disapproved of Dickens and sent Maria to boarding school in Paris. Most scholars agree that Maria was the inspiration behind Dora in David Copperfield.
When Dickens published his first work, Sketches by Boz, he certainly chose an odd pseudonym. Dickens had nicknamed his brother “Moses,” which when pronounced through the nose, sounds like “Boses.” Boz was the shortened version of this nickname.
For years, Dickens’ full pseudonym was “The Inimitable Boz.” Eventually he dropped “Boz” and was known simply as “The Inimitable.”
Dickens, an avid abolitionist, made his first visit to the US in 1842. He carefully documented the atrocities of slavery. Dickens also visited President John Tyler.
In May 1846, Dickens undertook to establish a home for “fallen women” at the behest of Angela Burdett Coutts. He became extremely active in daily operations, and even interviewed potential residents personally.
In 1858, Dickens separated from his wife, Catherine, with whom he had ten children. He embarked on an ambitious reading tour, sometimes doing both matinee and evening performances.
Dickens burned virtually all his personal correspondence in September 1860, ostensibly to destroy evidence of his affair with Ellen Ternan. Ternan received an annuity from Dickens when he died, and it is hypothesized that the two had a child who died in infancy.
Dickens exercised an odd obsession with the paranormal. He was one of the early members of The Ghost Club, an organization devoted to investigation of paranormal activity.
Collectors of Charles Dickens rely on the definitive bibliography compiled by John C. Eckel in 1932.
This week the 2011 winners of the Nobel Prize are unveiled. Alfred Nobel, for whom the Prize is named, specified that prizes be awarded in several different disciplines: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Peace, Economics, and of course Literature. Nobel’s own interest in literature began in childhood, and the contents of his personal library are quite impressive.
While the other Nobel Prizes are announced every year in early October, the Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded later. The first prize was awarded in 1901, and since then 107 people have earned the award. And you’re right; those numbers don’t add up! That’s because in some years, the prize has been shared, while in others no Nobel Prize was awarded for Literature. Nobel stipulated that if no nominated works fit the criteria for the prize, then no prize should be awarded.
Nobel Trivia
The Nobel Prize in Literature has an incredibly rich history. A few interesting facts about the prize:
The prize has been shared four times:
1904 – Frédéric Mistral, José Echegaray
1917 – Karl Gjellerup, Henrik Pontoppidan
1966 – Shmuel Agnon, Nelly Sachs
1974 – Eyvind Johnson, Harry Martinson
The youngest Nobel laureate in Literature was Rudyard Kipling, who was only 42 years old when he earned the prize in 1907.
Doris Lessing was the oldest winner. She was 88 years old when she won the prize.
The first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature was Selma Lagerlöf. She was later nominated to the Swedish Academy to select Nobel Prize winners.
Only two people have ever declined the award. Boris Pasternak accepted the prize in 1958, but was “later caused by the authorities of his country (Soviet Union) to decline the Prize.” Jeal Paul Sartre also declined in 1964 because he declined all official recognition.
The prize has been awarded posthumously twice: first to Erick Axel Karlfeldt in 1931, and to Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961, The Nobel Foundation stipulated in 1974 that prizes not be awarded posthumously, unless the winner dies after the winner has been selected.
Want to watch the Nobel Prize announcements unfold? Watch them live right here! Then take a moment to browse our selection of literature by Nobel laureates.
“A novel is balanced between a few true impressions and the multitude of false ones that make up most of what we call life.” So spoke Saul Bellow, one of the greatest American authors of the twentieth century. Rare book collectors have consistently been interested in Bellow’s works, and that interest will only grow as his books get more scarce over time.
Bellow entered the American literature scene in 1947 with Dangling Man. Though reviewers criticized the novel’s lack of definitive plot, they also noted that the book wonderfully captured the character and challenges of the American intellectual during the Great Depression.
Bellow published his second novel, The Victim, later that same year. These two first novels are considered Bellow’s “apprentice works.” First editions tend to be more scarce not only because fewer copies were printed in the first place. Dangling Man’s wartime printing meant cheaper materials that have not withstood the test of time very well.
Bellow established his literary prowess with The Adventures of Augie March (1954), which later won the National Book Award. Bellow won the award twice more, with Herzog (1965) and with Mr. Sammler’s Planet (1971). He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Humboldt’s Gift (1976). These award-winning novels are easier for collectors to find. They fetch a premium if they’re in exceptional condition or are inscribed by Bellow.
Meanwhile Bellow also ventured into play writing. His 1965 Last Analysis is considered an excellent addition to any Bellow collection, although it can be difficult to find. He also penned numerous short stories. By his death in 2005, Bellow had published 14 novels and novellas; four short-story collections; a memoir (To Jerusalem and Back, 1976); and an essay collection (It All Adds Up, 1994).
Following Bellow’s death, executors of his estate collaborated with Evelyn Stefannson Nef to establish the PEN/Saul Bellow Award. The award is granted to a “distinguished living American author of fiction whose body of work in English possesses the qualities of excellence, ambition, and scale of achievement over a sustained career which place him or her in the highest rank of American literature.” In 2007, Bellow’s colleague Philip Roth was named the first winner.
In 2010 Bellow’s friend and fellow author Benjamin Taylor published Saul Bellow: Letters. The anthology of Bellow’s correspondence earned widespread acclaim for capturing Bellow’s life so beautifully.
The University of Illinois has an outstanding Bellow collection of over 900 volumes. Dr. Joe Walker Kraus curates the collection. Dr. Kraus’ dedication to Bellow illustrates the devotion so common among Bellow enthusiasts and collectors. Interest in his work has grown over time, and his books promise to remain popular among rare book collectors in the future.
Saul Bellow’s status as a Nobel laureate also places him in the illustrious company of other renowned authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Doris Lessing. We offer one of the most extensive collections of rare books by Nobel Prize-winning authors. How do these legendary authors figure into your collection?
March 18 is the birthday of legendary American author John Updike. Best known for the Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom series, Updike published in a variety of genres beyond fiction, including poetry, literary criticism, short stories, and even children’s books.
