Various (Lesser, Wendy (Editor); Gluck, Louise; Gunn, Thom; Hardwick, Elizabeth; Hitchens, Christopher; Lopate, Philip; Marcus, Greil; Sontag, Susan; Tan, Amy; Vidal, Gore et al.)

Hiding in Plain Sight: Essays in Criticism and Autobiography

ISBN: 1562790374
San Francisco, CA: Mercury House, 1993. First Edition. “The threat of nakedness and exposure has long been inherent in the essay. One of the originators of the form, Montaigne, wrote in his introductory note to his readers, ‘Here, drawn from life, you will read of my defects and my native form so far as respect for social convention allows: for had I found myself among those peoples who are said still to live under the sweet liberty of Nature’s primal laws, I can assure you that I would most willingly have portrayed myself whole, and wholly naked.’ He tells us that he is, for propriety’s sake alone, keeping his verbal clothes on. And yet in the very next sentence he announces, ‘And therefore, Reader, I myself am the subject of my book: it is not reasonable that you should employ your leisure on a topic so frivolous and so vain. Therefore, farewell…’ This is at the beginning of the book. Montaigne is indeed clothed – in artifice of the most purposefully self-revealing sort. He dons the Emperor’s famous suit, not in self-deluded conviction, not in ignorance of its actual transparency (as the original wearer did), but with full awareness that the outfit itself is pure convention, pure illusion. He assures us that he will not mortify us with his nakedness, and meanwhile he lets us see everything.” (From back cover) This collection includes 30 essays about criticism drawn from The Threepenny Review, the literary magazine started in 1980 by author and editor Wendy Lesser, who is the daughter of Millicent Dillon, author and scholar of Jane and Paul Bowles. There are essays from Louise Glück, Amy Tan, Christopher Hitchens, Thom Gunn, Elizabeth Hardwick, Philip Lopate, Greil Marcus, Susan Sontag, Gore Vidal, and other major names in literature and criticism. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket (with $21.95 price printed at front flap). From the collection of Laurence Goldstein (1943-2023), poet, editor, and professor in the University of Michigan Department of English Language and Literature. First Edition, First Printing, as indicated by number sequence at copyright page. Book in Very Fine condition with only noticeable defects being a small bulge/crease to the front cover right edge, likely from manufacturing, and some stray, tiny stains or spots; otherwise substantially mint both inside and out. Dust jacket Fine-to-Very Fine with light rubbing and scratching to front, back covers & spine; some tiny bumps & creases to edges & corners of same. Very Fine / Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8261]

Price: $70.00