{"product_id":"9781611170740","title":"Understanding James Leo Herlihy","description":"\u003ci\u003eUnderstanding James Leo Herlihy\u003c\/i\u003e is the first book-length study of one of America's most neglected post-war writers. Herlihy (1927-1993), an occasional actor, made his professional mark in life as a playwright and novelist. Herlihy's body of work includes numerous plays, two collections of short stories, and three novels. His best-known novel, \u003ci\u003eMidnight Cowboy,\u003c\/i\u003e was later adapted into a screenplay by John Schlesinger. It was the only X-rated movie to receive an Academy Award—three, in fact, in 1969: best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay. \u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eUnderstanding James Leo Herlihy,\u003c\/i\u003e Robert Ward examines Herlihy's writing with reference to its historical, cultural, and personal contexts. Ward portrays Herlihy as a product of his environment, influenced by the 1950s and 1960s culture, including the youth rebellion, the erosion of the traditional family, and the increasing sexual liberation. Herlihy's award-winning novels, plays, and short stories display persistent themes of displacement, alienation, and the loss of innocence—all themes that Ward views as parallel to Herlihy's personal life. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough a biographical introduction and a detailed discussion of the major novels, plays, and short stories, Ward details the writer's successful works.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"University of South Carolina Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47018545610992,"sku":"9781611170740","price":38.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781611170740_p0.jpg?v=1763841843","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781611170740","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}