Author: Philip Wolfe

This ambitious novel was Wolfe’s first and was published in 1929. It is the work that he is perhaps best known for. The story is viewed as having a largely autobiographical influence. It speaks of the protagonist Eugene Gant’s desire to get an education, become a writer, find love, and generally make his way in the world by escaping the small North Carolina mountain town that he grew up in. In the book, the town is known as Altamont—based on Wolfe’s hometown of Asheville. The title is drawn from John Milton’s poem “Lycidas”: Look homeward Angel now, and melt with ruth; And, O ye Dolphins, waft the hapless youth." - Summary by Verla Viera