I had the distinct pleasure this weekend of spending some time with an author who was very possibly our last writer of novels of manners, Louis Auchincloss. He died not long ago and casting my eyes about the library in the manse, my gaze fell on one of his last books, a collection of elegant short stories called “Tales of Yesteryear.”
Groton, Yale, UVa Law, Naval Officer (WWII), cousin to Mrs. Kennedy Onassis, president of the American Academy of Arts & Letters and the Museum of The City of New York, full-time partner in a white shoes law firm in New York and denizen of Park Avenue, Mr. Auchincloss lived the life of which he wrote. He wrote his first full novel his junior (and last) year at Yale. Honour, morality and tribal mores were his themes. He wrote a book a year, snatching “bits and pieces of time” to write. That seems to me to be an apt description of his works as well. They are little bits and pieces of time; times that I fear may be behind us for good. The books that I’ve read remind me a bit of Cheever’s stuff. Some may find him a bit stuffy. I hear an older generation’s voice.
“Professional people, middle age and up” is his self-described audience, and it’s true that when I first read “Tales” I had not yet reached this middle-age. The stories resonated a bit more with me this weekend and I think I’ll take down “Honourable Men” next, or The Rector of Justin
Listen to an interview with him here.
Auchincloss is an unappreciated writer, perhaps because the audience he writes for (educated professionals) has simply stopped turning to fiction (much like yourself, it seems), perhaps because he wrote too damn much (often borrowing from himself and his plots during these “bits and pieces of time”) perhaps because these small chunks of time devoted to the craft never permitted him the chance to construct the edifice of major fiction (he was, it seemed, always a bricoleur, in some sense) or perhaps because he was– like his fading class– limited in subject and in theme.
What I love best about Auchincloss is the fact that his very desire to be writer (disapproved of by his mother) is what made him such a keen observer of his class- he was able to point out the limitations and drawbacks of his world/his people (often, with his hereditary reserve, quite strongly) that his unacceptable (to his class– hors-classe for a bad play on the french?) desire to write revealed to him while acknowledging that from which it came. Condemning the sin without condemning the sinners, as it were, or “Auchincloss: The White Shoe Humanist?”
This is best seen in his best work– _Justin_ which you mention, but also _The Embezzler_. My personal favorite is _The Return of the Prodigal_. Perhaps for personal rather than literary reasons.
I love Mr. A’s writings. His world, and the one he writes about is probably past, but a man can dream.
I normally feel that I am fairly accomplished, but am not familiar with Mr. Auchincloss’s work. Can anyone proved additional suggestions for a reading list. Trying to keep up with the owner of this blog can be full time job; regardless of the amount of fun.
Well done. You will be well rewarded.
I would love a list as well – in order of your appreciation. I’ve been struggling with the immoral and juvenile antics at work.. and would love to read something that makes me feel there is good in this world.
Paul and John, Lots of immorality in the stories. I have only read “Honorable Men”, “Tales of Yesteryear” and “Narcissa & Other Fables”. I’d like to read “The Rector of Justin” and “East Side Stories” as well as “Diary of a Yuppie”.
ignorance, I’m a big fan of bricolage. Fine comment, thanks.
John, you’ll dig ’em.
Toad, shoulda known…
Thanks for this one, Chris!
That interview with Louis Auchincloss made my day.
HIs manner of speaking~both the pronunciation of words and the rhythm of it~
called to mind Ruth Draper’s character of the upper class New York society
woman in her brilliant monologue, The Italian Lesson. In other words, an elegant
but essentially American (and thus, egalitarian) point of view.
You’re welcome Mr. Worthington. Is was a treat to listen to the cadence of his speech and that unique pronunciation. Not really “lock-jaw”, but akin.
I’m not familiar with Ms. Draper’s monologue, but I plan to be! Thanks.
C