The Author’s Literary Prestige: Introducing The 5 Notable Tom Wolfe’s Books And The Interesting Facts About Him

Noted for being one of the most remarkable authors in history, Tom Wolfe is quite a true legend in the field of literature. He died at the age of 88. Wolfe's agent, Lynn Nesbit, said that Wolfe died at the New York City hospital due to an infection. However, Nesbit had provided no further information about Wolfe's entire case of death. 

People are familiar with Wolfe's literary works, or even for his iconic signature. If you encounter his name in an article, newspaper, books, or even in a blog, and the information you have read gives you the yearning to know him more, here are the fascinating facts you should know about Wolfe. 

His Books Were  Adapted Into Films

The Right Stuff was one of Wolfe's best-selling books and his first literary work that was adapted into a film. It is an epic drama directed by Philip Kaufman, starring Ed Harris and Dennis Quaid. The film received critical acclaim despite being regarded as a box-office failure. 

The Bonfire of the Vanities, Wolfe's second book was also adapted into a film. Tom Hanks and Melanie Griffith starred in the film. The novel is a satirical drama, concerning ambition, politics, racism, and social class in New York City around the 1980s. Aside from The Right Stuff and The Bonfire of Vanities, Wolfe also wrote various iconic novels that will be infinitely remembered in history.  Here are some of his important books that you should read that may change your entire perspective: 

1. Radical Chic & Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers

Wolfe's book contains two long pieces: the gathering at the Park of Avenue apartment of a renowned composer, Leonard Bernstein, and the minorities' response to San Francisco's poverty program. Both parts highlight the rivalry between white guilt and black rage. 

2. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

Tom Wolfe's book put him on the map. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is a non-fiction book published in 1968. Today, the book is still notable for being the most popular example of a New Journalism, a growing literary style, and a crucial look for the 60s counterculture. 

3. The Painted Word

Tom Wolfe's The Painted Word (1975) shows the author's perspective about the Greenberg and Rosenberg powers. Wolfe emphasizes that their powers greatly affected contemporary painters, showing the massive influence of critical theory over art. Wolfe proposes the idea that the Greenberg and Rosenberg critics no longer view the art as an enlightenment instrument for the viewers, but it simply dictated as an ideology. 

4. A Man in Full

Published in 1998, A Man in Full is a satirical book that shows the high-flying real-estate mogul amid Atlanta's social dynamics. There is also part of the novel that takes place in Oakland, California. The book received different positive reviews from American magazines and newspapers. 

5. I Am Charlotte Simmons

This is a 2004 novel by Wolfe that portrays the relationship status and sexual issues within the fictional setting of Dupont University. Wolfe started this literary work by discussing it with various students at Florida, Duke,  North Carolina, Michigan, and Stanford. The book is believed to be the modern depiction of most universities in America.  

He Criticized His Fellow Novelists

Wolfe's criticism came as an essay entitled Stalking the Billion-Footed Beast in Harper's Magazine, a popular magazine for politics, finance, literature, and culture. For Tom Wolfe, the novelists in 1989 were too attached to their audience, and to address this issue, and they should include various journalistic approaches in their field. 

Wolfe Challenged Darwinism

We are familiar with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. From Darwin's perspective, he entirely believed that we are all species of organisms that arose through the process of natural selection. This increases the species' ability to reproduce, compete, and survive, but Tom Wolfe challenged this idea. During an interview, Wolfe boldly stated that Charles Darwin's theory is merely a myth. 

He Poorly Criticized Blogs And Wikipedia

In The Wall Street Journal, an American business-centered, Wolfe poorly judged the world of blogs and Wikipedia. For Wolfe,  these trends are just backward in writing. They are just primitive sites full of rumors. 

He Was Accused Of Racism

Wolfe was accused of racial discrimination because of his book entitled, Radical Chic & Flak Catchers. The book depicted the Black Panther Party as the 1960's civil rights and self-defense organization, meeting the rich Caucasians to discuss its donations. However, he strongly made this accusation by saying that his books are purely a criticism of how the rich ones supported causes only for publicity.  

Conclusion

Not just for influencing the American literature, but Tom Wolfe had also made a notable impression with his iconic style of fashion. Most American folks will remember his legendary white suits and with his impressive style. From his significant literary works, Wolfe will surely leave an undying legacy in American literature and culture.