Asheville-born Thomas Wolfe wrote the most impressive collection of books to be penned by a North Carolinian. He observed life in his hometown, and in the boarding house run by his mother, Julia, for much of his subject matter, particularly in his first published book, "Look Homeward, Angel." Other works to follow included "Of Time and the River," and "You Can't Go Home Again."
A new title is now available for young adult readers, "The Life and Times of Asheville's Thomas Wolfe," written by Jennifer Prince, a youth services librarian for Buncombe County Public Libraries. Early on she establishes a kinship with young Tom recalling how, as a girl, she had shared a room with her sister and how young Tom was shuffled from room to room in his mother's boardinghouse.
After publication of "Look Homeward, Angel" Wolfe received a Guggenheim Fellowship which enabled him to concentrate on publishing other works. Although "Of Time and the River" was well received when published, Wolfe was unhappy with the manuscript and blamed his editor, Maxwell Perkins, for its early release. Wolfe eventually left Perkins and Scribner Publishers as well.
He continued to write, but died of brain tuberculosis at age 38. "You Can't Go Home Again" was among unfinished manuscripts completed posthumously by Wolfe's new editor at Harper & Brothers publishers.
The N.C. Office of Archives and History is publishing the new series, True Tales for Young Readers, to provide information on significant topics in North Carolina history for young readers. "The Life and Times of Asheville's Thomas Wolfe" examines the excitement and change in America in the 1900s and the family life of William and Julia Wolfe and their seven children, including Tom.
Jennifer Prince writes regularly for "WNC Parent" and "School Library Journal." She is author of "Handy Bible Answer Book."
"The Life and Times of Asheville's Thomas Wolfe" is a 105-page illustrated volume and costs $17. It will be available at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site in Asheville and from the online store at http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/.The mail order cost is $26.15 ($17.00 for book, $7.50 for shipping, $1.65 tax). The mail order address is Historical Publications, 4622 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4622.
For additional information, please call (919) 807-7290. The Office of Archives and History is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.