The Apostate Angel, A Critical Study of Gore Vidal, Ex Libris Gore Vidal
[Ex Libris Gore Vidal] Dick, Bernard F. The Apostate Angel, A Critical Study of Gore Vidal. First Edition. 1974. Book and dust jacket are both in very good condition—jacket shows a few minor dirt spots. Book is stamped “From the library of GORE VIDAL” on the flyleaf.
There is no doubt that Gore Vidal is in the upper echelon of 20th Century American writers. This excellent review of his work through the early seventies makes a convincing case that he should be even nearer the top. Gore must have added this book to his library with pride. It analyzes not only his novels but his work for film, television, and the stage, offering extraordinary insight into details easily overlooked. The gist is that Vidal used his affection for the movies and popular culture to bring his readers up to his level, turning low into high. The apotheosis of this was his camp classic Myra Breckinridge, which this book reviews in fascinating detail.
“As an adapter, Vidal had the popularizer’s ability to reduce a work to its central theme without disturbing its complexity.”
--Bernard F. Dick