61 pages • 2 hours read
Thomas WolfeLook Homeward, Angel
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1929A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe, published in 1929, chronicles the life of Eugene Gant and his family in the fictional town of Altamont, inspired by Wolfe’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. The novel details Eugene's upbringing, family dynamics, and personal growth, exploring themes of ambition, loss, and self-discovery. This coming-of-age story is written in a stream-of-consciousness narrative and spans the first two decades of the 20th century. The novel includes depictions of illness, addiction, and death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward, Angel is widely praised for its lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance, capturing the complexities of growth and familial relationships. Critics laud Wolfe's vivid descriptions and introspective depth but note the narrative's occasional verbosity and lack of focus. Ultimately, it's a compelling and richly textured coming-of-age novel.
Who Should Read Look Homeward, Angel?
Readers who relish richly detailed coming-of-age stories and poetic prose will enjoy Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe. Comparable to fans of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, this novel appeals to those drawn to introspective, deeply emotional narratives.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1010L