The continual pilgrimage : American writers in Paris, 1944-1960 / Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno

Includes bibliographical references (p. 325-328) and index

This is an account of American writers who lived in Paris during the decade and a half following World War II -- transplanted literary luminaries that include Richard Wright, James Baldwin, William Styron, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, James Jones, Irwin Shaw, Chester Himes, John Ashbery, and the Beat writers. Stifled by racism, McCarthyism, and conformist values, they found in France the freedom to create, and eventually they became respected members of French intellectual circles. With Paris as a backdrop and the Lost Generation as inspiration, they produced English-language literary journals -- namely, the Paris Review -- to showcase innovative literature and introduced the works of contemporary European writers to America. They also wrote some of their finest works. Sawyer-Laucanno so adroitly combines biographical, historical, and critical material that he entices readers to seek out these expatriate writers.