William Maxwell, Early Novels and Stories (Library of America, $35). At last–at last!–the Library of America brings out the first in a pair of volumes devoted to the writings of the New Yorker editor who in his spare time produced some of America’s most lyrical and poignant fiction. Maxwell was never widely recognized in his lifetime, nor is he well known now, but connoisseurs covet his books with obsessive passion. (Don’t take my word for it–read this.) Start with The Folded Leaf, his exquisitely sensitive 1945 novel of adolescent friendship, and go from there (TT).
Terry Teachout on the arts in New York City
