A Man in Full

A Man in Full without a character comparing his status with everyone else’s and jockeying for position. The unceasing calculation becomes dizzying. If this is all there is to the world, by all means, start the bonfire right away. Where are simple folly, joy, conviction, love?

Conrad often acts without guile. But he is tossed into an environment that is Wolfe’s social world perfectly distilled— an Alameda County, California, jail. The jail scenes are vivid, terrifying, and altogether excellent. But they are most notable for how they mimic the outside: status is everything in a world boiled down to sheer male aggression and sexual predation. Even Conrad must bully and flex his forearms to survive in jail and to thrive in everyday life.

TW

About the Author

Tom Wolfe

Featured Tags

Manage following

Tom Wolfe

A Man in Full without a character comparing his status with everyone else’s and jockeying for position. The unceasing calculation becomes dizzying. If this is all there is to the world, by all means, start the bonfire right away. Where are simple folly, joy, conviction, love?

Conrad often acts without guile. But he is tossed into an environment that is Wolfe’s social world perfectly distilled— an Alameda County, California, jail. The jail scenes are vivid, terrifying, and altogether excellent. But they are most notable for how they mimic the outside: status is everything in a world boiled down to sheer male aggression and sexual predation. Even Conrad must bully and flex his forearms to survive in jail and to thrive in everyday life.