The Native Imagination

Alfred Kazin’s new book is one of those largescale thematic studies in which a prominent critic offers a summing-up of American literary culture. Both the book’s approach and its thesis are closely related to what used to be called “wisdom literature.” As is often the case, the reader’s encounter with Kazin’s critical opinions becomes intensely personal. Kazin’s first book, On Native Grounds, evoked an equally personal response, at least for this read...