Dieser amerikanische Romanautor und Kritiker war eine Schlüsselfigur der Literaturszene der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts. Seine Romane, oft satirisch und inspiriert von seinen eigenen Erfahrungen im Bohème-Leben in New York und Paris, untersuchten eindringlich die damalige Gesellschaftskultur. In seiner kontroversen, aber mitfühlenden Fiktion widmete er sich auch der damals neu entstehenden afroamerikanischen Kultur in Harlem. Neben seinem Schreiben war er auch ein einflussreicher literarischer Mäzen, der die Künste unterstützte und Werke afroamerikanischer Künstler sammelte.
Focusing on the preservation of cultural heritage, this classical work highlights the significance of Spanish music throughout history. Alpha Editions has reissued it in a modern format, ensuring clarity and readability by reformatting and retyping the original text rather than using scanned copies. This effort aims to keep the legacy of Spanish music accessible for both present and future generations.
Set against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, this novel captures the vibrant and liberated spirit of 1920s New York City. It explores themes of extravagance and the cultural shifts of the era, showcasing the dynamic social scene and the lives of its eclectic characters. Through vivid storytelling, the narrative immerses readers in the excitement and challenges of a transformative period in American history.
Firecrackers: A Realistic Novel (1925) is a novel by Carl Van Vechten. Published in the same year as F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Anita Loos' Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Van Vechten's novel has been recognized as an important document of the Jazz Age, a decade of bohemian excess and artistic experimentation that changed the shape of American and European culture. "You must think of a group of people in terms of a packet of firecrackers. You ignite the first cracker and the flash fires the fuse of the second, and so on, until, after a series of crackling detonations, the whole bunch has exploded, and nothing survives but a few torn and scattered bits of paper, blackened with powder." In Van Vechten's novel, an explosive group of friends welcomes a handsome young man into their midst. Gunnar O'Grady, an athlete and a jack of all trades, soon becomes an object of obsession for men and women alike. As he tries to satisfy their needs and desires while working to support himself, he begins to question the meaning of friendship itself. Firecrackers: A Realistic Novel, Van Vechten's fourth novel, is a fascinating work of fiction from a man who was always one step ahead of the rest. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Carl Van Vechten's Firecrackers: A Realistic Novel is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
Set in a whimsical world, this story explores the lives of a group of children who find joy and adventure on a magical merry-go-round. Each ride reveals new friendships and lessons about life, imagination, and the passage of time. The narrative weaves together themes of innocence, nostalgia, and the bittersweet nature of growing up, inviting readers to reflect on their own childhood memories. Through vibrant imagery and relatable characters, the book captures the enchantment of youth and the fleeting moments of happiness.
Carl van Vechtens Roman "Parties" ist das Memento Mori der "Roaring Twenties", das den Kater nach den Exzessen und den Verfall des Festes thematisiert. Die Protagonisten taumeln durch ein trunkenes New York, während die Party längst vorbei ist. Exklusive Illustrationen von Maurice Vellekoop bereichern die Ausgabe.
Opening on a scene of tawdry sensationalism, this novel shifts decisively to a world of black middle-class respectability, defined by intellectual values, professional ambition, and an acute consciousness of class and racial identity.