The New West of Edward Abbey (1982)

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By Ann Ronald.

An academic examination of Edward Abbey's books and writing. Sometimes very academic, but enjoyable anyhow and made me think about Ed in ways I never had before.

Thanks to Glee Willis for donating a copy.

The New West of Edward Abbey is the first and only book-length study assessing the literary career of this major contemporary American author. In her perceptive examination, Ronald asserts that Edward Abbey's role as a social commentator and environmental activist is complemented by his guise as a writer of romance - one who reconceives the contemporary worlds in order to envision a better one. To support this supposition, Ronald explains that "a romance opens its audience's eyes to a unique way of looking at the immediate world. its purpose is twofold - a celebration of life, of freedom and survival, and a celebration of life's possibilities of dreams both marvelous and visionary." In examining the philosophy behind Abbey's prose, Ronald believes that Abbey's approach is subtle as well as vociferous in calling for a properly managed society that can exist in equilibrium with the bulldozers of the modern world.

"The New West of Edward Abbey is an excellent study ... It represents ... the best kind of literary criticism, expanding the reader's enjoyment and understanding without posturing or cleverness." -- James K. Folsom, Nevada Historical Society Quarterly

"Style, along with critical insight, is what makes Ann Ronald'sThe New West of Edward Abbey such an extraordinary book ... This is balanced, perceptive criticism at its best." -- Delbert Dyler, Modern Fiction Studies

"Ann Ronald's lively study of Abbey's books should enable everyone to arrive at a better understanding of Abbey's achievement." -- James H. Maguire, American Literature

"With the possible exception of Edward Abbey himself, it seems safe to assume that no one knows more about the writing of Edward Abbey than an unassuring professor of English named Ann Ronald." -- James R. Hepworth, Western AmericanLiterature

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Ronald, Ann, 1939-
  The new West of Edward Abbey / Ann Ronald.  Reno : University of Nevada
Press, 1988, c1982.  xvi, 255 p. ; 23 cm.

LC CALL NUMBER: PS3551.B2 Z87 1988

SUBJECTS:
  Abbey, Edward, 1927- --Criticism and interpretation.
  West (U.S.) in literature.
  West (U.S.)--Description and travel.

DEWEY DEC:  813/.54 dc19

NOTES:
  Reprint. Originally published: Albuquerque : University of New Mexico Press,
c1982.
  Includes index.
  Bibliography: p. 245-248.

ISBN:  0874171318 (pbk.) : $8.95
GEOG. AREA CODE:  n-usp--
LCCN:  87-32074 r94

Ronald, Ann, 1939-
  The New West of Edward Abbey / Ann Ronald.  1st ed.  Albuquerque :
University of New Mexico Press, c1982.  xvi, 255 p. ; 24 cm.

LC CALL NUMBER: PS3551.B2 Z87 1982

SUBJECTS:
  Abbey, Edward, 1927- --Criticism and interpretation.
  West (U.S.) in literature.
  West (U.S.)--Description and travel.

DEWEY DEC:  813/.54 dc19

NOTES:
  Includes index.
  Bibliography of works by and about Edward Abbey: p. 245-248.

ISBN:  0826306357 : $19.95
GEOG. AREA CODE:  n-usp--

LCCN:  82-8515 r942

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