The English Understand Wool

The English Understand Wool is a 2022 novella by American author Helen DeWitt. The novella was published by New Directions.

The English Understand Wool
First edition
AuthorHelen DeWitt
LanguageEnglish
PublisherNew Directions

Publication and release

DeWitt announced the upcoming publication of the novella on her Twitter account in November 2021.[1] The novella was published as part of a new series from New Directions, "Storybook ND", which aims to deliver "the pleasure one felt as a child reading a marvelous book from cover to cover in an afternoon."[2][3]

A Wayne Thiebaud painting titled Boston Cremes appears on the book's cover.[4] Books in the "Storybook ND" series were designed by Peter Mendelsund.[4]

Reception

According to literary review aggregator Book Marks, the novella received universally "Rave" reviews.[5] In a review published by The Wall Street Journal, Sam Sacks praised the novella as "delicious".[6] Sacks further wrote that DeWitt, "With an impeccably straight face" manages to direct "superb satirical shots at the publishing industry" through the central character, Marguerite.[6] Publishers Weekly praised the book, writing that DeWitt was "at the top of her game" and that it presented a "explosive rebuke to sensationalistic American publishing".[7]

Reviews published by The Brooklyn Rail and The Millions observed similarities between the protagonist of The English Understand Wool and the protagonist of DeWitt's novel The Last Samurai, Ludo.[8][4]

References
  1. Sheehan, Dan (November 8, 2021). "Attention: there's a new Helen DeWitt novel(la) coming in 2022". Literary Hub. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  2. Arrowsmith, Charles (September 30, 2022). "Review: The author of a literary classic, Helen DeWitt tries a novella on for size". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  3. Maloney, Iain (July 21, 2022). "Independent publisher gives short stories their due with 'Storybook ND' series". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  4. Lackey, Ryan (November 17, 2022). "Minor Aesthetics: On Helen DeWitt's 'The English Understand Wool'". The Millions. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  5. "The English Understand Wool". Book Marks. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  6. Sacks, Sam (September 9, 2022). "Fiction: 'Lessons' by Ian McEwan". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  7. "The English Understand Wool". Publishers Weekly. 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  8. Domini, John (December 14, 2022). "Helen Dewitt's The English Understand Wool". The Brooklyn Rail. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
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