Fearsome 20th-century literary critic Trilling (1905–1975) published a single novel, The Middle of the Journey
, in 1947. This unfinished work was unearthed among his papers by City College professor Murphy, along with Trilling’s own preface and commentary on the work as it stands: 24 short chapters comprising a little more than half of the present book. The novel is based on the late-life of poet Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864), who got into some unpleasant business surrounding his Bath landlady and her 16-year-old ward. Trilling details the true-life incident in his preface, then moves his own story to 1930s New England. It’s as interesting to read his extensive commentary on the unfinished work as it is the piece itself. (June)
