In 'A Death in the Family', James Agee weaves a poignant tale of loss through the eyes of a young boy grappling with the unexpected death of his father. The narrative unfolds in a richly detailed Southern setting, where the interplay of familial love and grief reveals the complexities of human emotions. As the boy navigates the world of adults, he discovers the fragility of life and the bittersweet nature of memory. Agee’s lyrical prose captures the essence of childhood innocence shattered by tragedy, urging readers to reflect on their own experiences of love and loss. This deeply moving novel invites you to journey through the heart of sorrow and the enduring power of family bonds.
By James Agee
Published: 2009
"‘We are, in the end, all we have, and it is the love we give and receive that builds our true legacy.’"
The classic American novel—winner of the 1958 Pulitzer Prize—now re-published for the 100th anniversary of James Agee’s birth One of Time’s All-Time 100 Best Novels A Penguin Classic Published in 1957, two years after its author's death at the age of forty-five, A Death in the Family remains a near-perfect work of art, an autobiographical novel that contains one of the most evocative depictions of loss and grief ever written. As Jay Follet hurries back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, he is killed in a car accident—a tragedy that destroys not only a life, but also the domestic happiness and contentment of a young family. A novel of great courage, lyric force, and powerful emotion, A Death in the Family is a masterpiece of American literature.
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“‘We are, in the end, all we have, and it is the love we give and receive that builds our true legacy.’”
A Death in the Family
By James Agee
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
James Agee (1909-1955) was an influential American author, journalist, and screenwriter, renowned for his poignant explorations of human experience and social issues. His notable works include the Pulitzer Prize-winning book 'A Death in the Family', which reflects on grief and personal loss, and 'Let Us Now Praise Famous Men', a collaborative work with photographer Walker Evans that documents the lives of impoverished Southern sharecroppers, blending lyrical prose with powerful imagery. Agee’s writing style is characterized by its rich, poetic language, deep empathy, and a focus on the complexities of everyday life. His contributions to literature and film continue to resonate, earning him a lasting legacy as a voice of social conscience in 20th-century America.
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