In my opinion, this is the greatest of all American novels. It left me breathless two weeks ago. It contains not only some of the most beautiful writing I've ever read but also profound insights into literature, poetry, human behavior, and New York City in the 1930s. It's a searing and magnificent book where everything is full of grays, not just black and white. It explores various themes such as American racism towards Jews, travel to Europe, family, death, love, desire, becoming an adult, making a living, the pain of creation, train travel, and the joys of life and nature, all told in stunning and beautiful emotional language. It's a par excellence coming of age story by a Southern writer who comes to New York. The novel completely knocked me out, and I know I will need to reread it some day to fully grasp its wonderful power. Much credit must go to the editor, Maxwell Perkins, in whose name the book is dedicated.

To be honest, I didn't manage to finish the book. I truly hate giving up halfway, but we have a limited amount of time on this earth. When I was younger, I would laboriously plow through many thick tomes. This was either out of a sense of respect for the book's reputation or in the hope that they would offer some sort of improvement. However, I would often be left with an empty feeling at the end. Fortunately, those days have now more or less passed.

Had the book been shorter, I might have been tempted to persevere. But at over a thousand pages, I simply couldn't bring myself to face any more. I couldn't develop any warmth towards any of the characters. The author's portrayal of them seemed so artificial, as if he was desperately trying to create the impression of their individual and unique contributions to the grand, majestic, and sweeping landscape of America. As a result, they ended up appearing as caricatures rather than real people. I found myself not caring at all about what any of them thought or did, only imagining the author being overly focused on promoting an idea of America's tragic, powerful grandeur. This idea was further exaggerated in the narrative, where the vision of a nation that is doomed, beautiful, and forever tormented by its own massive scale and ambition seemed to be repeated to the point of nausea.

It's truly a shame because I had such high expectations after reading the preceding volume, "Look Homeward, Angel," about ten years ago. I absolutely adored that book and expected the same here. It had taken me this long to find a copy in a second-hand bookshop since it's out of print. Sadly, that wasn't the case, and either the author had lost something or I had changed over the last decade. In any case, I would only recommend this book to someone who loves highly stylized, self-indulgent, and soul-searching sagas.

Breathtaking

The author, who might be scarcely comprehended in our contemporary world, has a story that dates back to the dawn of time. His words are truly magnificent, capable of transporting the reader to another realm. Despite the passage of years, his narrative retains its power and charm. It is as if his story is a precious gem, hidden away but waiting to be discovered by those with an open heart and a curious mind. In a world that often seems to move too fast, it is refreshing to take a step back and explore the works of this author. His words have the ability to inspire, to touch the soul, and to leave a lasting impression. Breathtaking indeed.

I first delved into the Gant/Webber chronicles during my youthful days, a mere stripling of twenty-two. This gentle giant, with his aspiration to encapsulate all of life on the page, had a profound impact on me. His exuberant Romanticism served as a refreshing antidote to the Victorian novels I devoured as a teenager. He was the one who ultimately led me to the life-altering landscapes of Joyce. Guided valiantly by the great Maxwell Perkins, he captured the essence of the 1920s with a literary fervor I never thought possible.

Now, approaching fifty, I'm delighted to discover that, upon revisiting this magnificent volume nearly three decades later, it still holds its ground. It continues to kindle inspiration within me about life and those around us, a feat few other writers can achieve. It personifies zest, unbridled optimism, and candor.

Yet, Thomas Wolfe, once rightfully regarded as one of the greatest literary minds, was ridiculed by cynical critics with an agenda after World War II. How could one read about Eugene Gant's father's passing and remain unmoved? How could the upstate travel with Joel Pierce not amuse? Or the exuberant royalty Eugene encounters in Europe? And the insatiable desire to know everything, mirrored in Eugene Gant's voracious appetite for food. Perhaps I'm becoming an increasingly rare breed. But thirty years later, I felt understood once more. Having lived my life and accumulated bits of questionable wisdom, I recognize in Eugene Gant the best of youthful passion and exuberance.

This remains a literary masterpiece, a life-changing volume at any age. Thomas Wolfe's work must endure. Any critic who piles on him clearly lacks a soul or has deliberately erased the memory of what it was like to be young and ambitious. As for me, I somehow retain my ambition and a touch of youth at my age. Because I've never shut off that creative and receptive part of myself. If you don't love Thomas Wolfe, I believe you're dead inside.

4.5 stars.

This rating is a testament to the high quality and excellence of the subject in question. It indicates that it has met and exceeded many expectations.

With 4.5 stars, it is clear that the product, service, or experience has left a positive impression on the majority of those who have interacted with it.

The features and benefits it offers are likely to be outstanding, providing value and satisfaction.

It may have received such a high rating due to its superior performance, attention to detail, or exceptional customer service.

Overall, a 4.5-star rating is a remarkable achievement and a sign that the subject is well worth considering.

Whether it's a product you're looking to purchase, a service you need, or an experience you want to have, a 4.5-star rating can give you confidence in your decision.

It shows that others have had a great experience and that you're likely to do the same.

So, if you come across something with a 4.5-star rating, don't hesitate to give it a try.

Chances are, you won't be disappointed.

Of Time and the River is an extraordinary piece of literature.

It is filled with such vivid and detailed descriptions that it truly immerses the reader on a sensory plane, rather than just appealing to the intellect.

The characters within the story are masterfully crafted, coming across as incredibly realistic.

Although the plot unfolds as an epic saga, the underlying theme is refreshingly simple.

It follows the journey of a young man as he comes of age, grappling with all the angst, longing for love, seeking meaning and purpose in a world that can often be perplexing and confounding.

Wolfe continues to be an iconic writer, renowned for penning some of the most eloquent and beautiful prose ever to be published. His words have the power to transport readers to another time and place, making them feel as if they are right there with the characters, experiencing every emotion and moment.

It has been approximately 12 years since I delved into this work. However, I vividly recall that my affection for it paled in comparison to that of 'Look Homeward, Angel'. I still held a certain regard for it, yet not to the extent I had anticipated. I had assumed that pairing a character I adored (Eugene) with a narrative structure I cherished (a travelogue about Europe) would be an absolute success. Nevertheless, 'Of Time and the River' lacked the comforting autumnal familiarity that 'Look Homeward, Angel' possessed. I no longer felt as at ease, and Eugene's quirky neurotic charm waned for me.

Nonetheless, even a slight decline from the excellence of 'Look Homeward, Angel' still places it far above the majority of books. And I would毫不犹豫地 choose the opening section of 'Of Time and the River', where Eugene is aboard the train journeying north, over almost any other prose in the English language. The beauty and power of those initial paragraphs are truly captivating, transporting the reader into a world of anticipation and adventure.

The Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid once made a rather profound statement. He said that his job was to erupt like a volcano.

Not only would it emit the intense and powerful flame that symbolizes passion and creativity, but it would also spew out a lot of rubbish.

This description seems rather fitting and could potentially have been used as Thomas Wolfe's epitaph.

MacDiarmid's words perhaps suggest that the creative process is not always clean and perfect. It can involve a lot of trial and error, with some ideas and works being less than satisfactory.

Just like a volcano, which is both awe-inspiring and destructive, the act of creating can have both positive and negative aspects.

Whether it is in poetry, literature, or any other form of art, the journey of the creator is often filled with challenges and uncertainties.

MacDiarmid's words serve as a reminder that we should not be afraid of the mess and chaos that comes with the creative process.

Instead, we should embrace it and use it as a source of inspiration and growth.

Perhaps this is the true essence of being a creative individual - to have the courage to erupt like a volcano and let our ideas and emotions flow freely, regardless of the consequences.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how to expand an article to about 300 words.

Let's assume the original article is: "The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. It helps us stay healthy and fit."

Expanded version:

The importance of exercise truly cannot be overemphasized.

Exercise is not just a means to an end; it is a lifestyle choice that has numerous benefits for our overall well-being.

Regular physical activity helps to strengthen our muscles and bones, improve our cardiovascular health, and boost our immune system.

It also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

In addition to the physical benefits, exercise can also have a positive impact on our mental health. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve our mood and self-esteem.

So, make sure to incorporate exercise into your daily routine and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer. The ultimate goal is to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life.

Certainly, reading Thomas Wolfe for me is a profound commitment. I say this in the sense that one has to carry on despite being completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume and vast scope of his work. It's no easy feat. I have had to take breaks and then pick up again to complete "Of Time and the River". And having done so, I am truly thankful for my tenacity. In my opinion, this is not something to be hurried. There are those breathtaking moments within the text that make it more than worthwhile to handle the whole saga. It's like embarking on a long and arduous journey, but one that is richly rewarding. I highly recommend this work to readers who truly like to be immersed in the world of fiction, who have the patience and the inclination to explore the depths of a complex and captivating literary creation.

This is an extremely long book, and it is made even more so by Wolfe's incredibly lengthy sentences.

Despite this, he managed to take me on a journey right along with him, and I was never once able to put the book down, even when bogged down by what seemed like a gazillion metaphors.

The prose is truly that great - it becomes increasingly vivid and is never lacking in details. The overwhelming and 'curious' attention to the scenes gives the reader an all-knowing view of all the happenings.

In terms of what one might call a 'plot', for lack of a better word, the events described are rather mundane, and one might not expect to find engaging experiences or anything of that sort about his life or his fictionalised counterpart.

However, the way in which they have been described will surely capture the hearts of most readers. And for those who have a passion for vivid story-telling, this book should definitely be among their top reads.

It offers a unique and immersive reading experience that is not to be missed.

For anyone who has the inclination to write retrospectively, this book is an absolute must-read. However, it is severely overwritten. There are, perhaps, around 10 scenes within it that are good or decent. Otherwise, it is just a jumble of words that evoke different emotions or put you into various moods.

"Even their speech had become hard, grey, and sterile: the people were almost inarticulate; it is doubtful if one of them had three hundred words in his vocabulary: the boy noticed that the men especially--Murphy, his two sons, Feeney, and O'Doul--made constant use of a few arid words and phrases, which, with the intonation of the voice and a slight convulsive movement of the arms and hands, filled in enormous vacancies in thought and feeling, and said all that they could say or wished to say."

"And, first and foremost, they belonged to that great lost tribe of people who are more numerous in America than in any other country in the world. They belonged to that unnumbered horde who think that somehow, by some magic and miraculous scheme or rule or formula, "something can be done for them." They belonged to that huge colony of the damned who buy thousands of books that are printed for their kind, telling them how to run a tea-shop, how to develop a pleasing personality, how to acquire "a liberal education," swiftly and easily and with no anguish of the soul, by fifteen minutes' reading every day; how to perform the act of sexual intercourse in such a way that your wife will love you for it; how to have children or to keep from having children; how to write short-stories, novels, plays, and verses which are profitably saleable; how to keep from having body-odour, constipation, bad breath, or tartar on the teeth; how to have good manners, know the proper fork to use for every course, and always do the proper thing--how, in short, to be beautiful, "distinguished," "smart," "chic," "forceful," and "sophisticated"--finally, how to have "a brilliant personality" and "achieve success."

"They belonged to that huge tribe of all the damned and lost who feel that everything is going to be all right with them if they can only take a trip, or learn a rule, or meet a person. They belonged to that futile, desolate, and forsaken horde who felt that all will be well with their lives, that all the power they lack themselves will be supplied, and all the anguish, fury, and unrest, the confusion and the dark damnation of man's soul can magically be healed if only they eat bran for breakfast, secure an introduction to a celebrated actress, get a reading for their manuscript by a friend of Sinclair Lewis, or win admission to Professor Hatcher's celebrated class of dramatists."