Look Homeward, Angel

First published in 1929, “Look Homeward, Angel” is Thomas Wolfe’s deeply autobiographical debut novel. The story concerns the lives of the Gant family, who live in the fictionalized town of Altamont, North Carolina. Eugene Gant, a character largely based on Wolfe’s own life experiences, is the son of Oliver Gant, who descends into alcoholism following the death of his first wife. At the center of the novel is the tumultuous transition from adolescence to adulthood that Eugene undergoes, mirroring the author’s own life. Loosely episodic in its narrative, the genius of “Look Homeward, Angel” is in its vivid portrayal of the Gant family. Wolfe’s complicated and exuberant prose brings to life the emotional experiences and psychological development of the characters, which drives the narrative forward more so than any event that takes place in the novel. Eugene Gant’s struggle is one of defining himself professionally through his studies. By brilliantly capturing the intensity of Eugene’s youthful aspiration against the backdrop of a deeply dysfunctional family life, Wolfe creates a timeless bildungsroman that has continued to resonate with readers ever since its original publication.