Generation of Vipers

Generation of Vipers is a 1943 book by Philip Wylie. In it Wylie criticizes various aspects and beliefs of contemporary American society, including Christianity; prominent figures such as politicians, teachers, and doctors;[1] and "momism" or the adoration of mothers. As of 2005 Dalkey Archive Press publishes the book.[2]

History

Wylie wrote the book in Miami Beach, Florida beginning on May 12, 1942 and ending on July 4, 1942; he felt disillusioned after having a job with the U.S. government providing information about World War II. The book was published in January 1943.[2]

By 1955 the book had twenty printings; by then a new edition of the book came out.[3]

Reception

Mike Wallace stated in his 1957 interview of Wylie that many viewers had criticized Wylie's conclusions about mothers, and Wylie responded by stating that he was only talking about a certain type of mother.[1]

In 1999 Miles Kington of The Independent stated that the book was one of several "forgotten classics".[4]

In 2005 Jonathan Yardley of the Washington Post argued that the book had not aged well in his second reading; he had first read the book in the 1960s.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Philip Wylie 5/12/57." The Mike Wallace Interview, posted at the website of University of Texas Harry Ransom Center. Retrieved on October 18, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Yardley, Jonathan (2005-07-30). "'Generation of Vipers' Loses Its Bite". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
  3. ↑ "Philip Wylie, "Common Women," from Generation of Vipers (1942, 1955)." Posted at the City University of New York. Retrieved on October 18, 2016.
  4. ↑ Kington, Miles (1999-04-27). "`Generation of Vipers' and other forgotten classics". The Independent. Retrieved 2016-10-19.

Further reading

External links


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