The Death of Picasso: New and Selected Writing

The title story of this generous new collection is one of my all-time favorites. I read voraciously, and have several favorite authors, but Davenport is the only one I habitually return to and re-read. DEATH OF PICASSO will introduce you properly to the MacArthur genius award recipient who remains largely unknown despite being arguably the nation's finest stylist. Guy Davenport's fictions are multi-layered delights. You can root around in them again and again, each time finding new nuggets and making new connections and cross-connections to his other work and to the larger world of fact and literature. D of P includes not just fictions but also criticism, which in Davenport's case mean not dull stuff for insiders but richly detailed and entertaining adventures. If you are looking for enormous talent and knowledge, displayed in writing that always delights, Davenport deserves your attention. The only thing lacking in D of P is his excellent drawings, which he has from time to time employed to add still another layer to his unique confections. Take a chance, buy this book. You may find that you have stumbled across the author you should have been reading all along.

Guy Davenport is the best living American writer; he compares to Joyce in terms of his technical ability. This book will be an excellent starting point for anyone ready for the possibility.