The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone: New Directions Bibelot - Softcover

Williams, Tennessee

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0811212491 ISBN 13: 9780811212496

Publisher: New Directions, 1994

Synopsis

Published in 1950, his first novel was acclaimed by Gore Vidal as "Splendidly written, precise, short, complete and fine."

It is the story of a wealthy, fiftyish American widow, recently a famous stage beauty, but now "drifting." The novel opens soon after her husband's death and her retirement from the theatre, as Mrs. Stone tries to adjust to her aimless new life in Rome. She is adjusting, too, to aging ("The knowledge that her beauty was lost had come upon her recently and it was still occasionally forgotten.") With poignant wit and his own particular brand of relish, Williams charts her drift into an affair with a cruel young gigolo: "As compelling, as fascinating, and as technically skilled as his plays." (Publishers Weekly)

About this title

Review:

A brilliant accomplishment.

A brilliantaccomplishment. "

A brilliantaccomplishment."

From the Back Cover:

'The Roman spring is actually Mrs Stone's autumn...Superb...a sharp, witty and moving novel' Chicago Tribune

Mrs Stone changed from a famous, rich American actress to a notorious, very rich American widow. But the transition took years and all that time her youth and legendary beauty slipped away.

So she escapes to Rome. But even the distractions of the Eternal City cannot stop old age wrinkling its way into her life. Frantic, she decides to take a lover; a young and very handsome Italian, being prepared to invest in his body for good return. But the price is too expensive. Not in money, but in her dignity...

'A brilliant accomplishment' Washington Post

'As compelling, as fascinating and as technically skilful as his plays' Publishers Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: New Directions
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0811212491
• ISBN 13: 9780811212496
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 112