Ready Reference Treatise: Miss Lonelyhearts

“Miss Lonelyhearts” by Nathanael West was first published in 1933. It was the author’s second novel. It is categorized as an Expressionist Black Comedy. The story is set in the time of Great Depression in New York City.

It is said that the author had an opportunity to read some letters, which were written to Susan Chester who was the advice columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He showed the letters to his friend Perelman but he refused to use those letters as source material. West was able to recognize the raw potential of those letters, and consequently he composed the story of “Miss Lonelyhearts” using the letters.

Ready Reference Treatise: Miss Lonelyhearts
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Major Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis