James Purdy: More Original Than Good?
Dwight Garner, writing in the New York Times about James Purdy (1914-2009): he ‘remains one of those American originals who is mostly more interesting to read about than to actually read.’ I think that’s a little harsh. Purdy’s 1959 novel, “Malcolm,” is eerily good, and some of the stories, which have been compiled and newly published, with an introduction by John Waters, are beautiful.
