Based on A. Scott Berg's superb and award-winning book “Max Perkins: Editor of Genius,” this is a fictionalized description of the relationship between the editing legendary bellwether . Maxwell Perkins and his most treasured, his most beloved and his most troublesome author: Thomas Wolfe, author of “Look Homeward, Angel,” “Of Time and the River” and “You Can’t Go Home Again”
Tom, who in his most difficult time still kept arrogant and over-confident, met his talent scout who shaped him into world-famous writer. At the beginning, I was attracted by Wolfe's beautiful words. But unluckily, when I finished the movies for a second time, sorry I had no desire to read his work for his behaviors, his pushiness and attitudes to the one who stretched out his hand to him are too much for me although I have to admit that to some extend he was a genius.
There is no denying that Tom is frank, naïve and child-like as he screamed on the editorial office corridor, criticized when he told Alin that the office agreed to publish his work and even unscrupulously yelled “I love you” to Max. But I don't think his candid and enthusiasm can pay the bill for betraying his wife, hurting his father-like friend Max and mocking Scott who was in trouble. I am really puzzled that his work and his personalities are so controversial. I am really puzzled why Max loved this guy most and Nancy missed him so much.
Max was the really genius in my mind even he didn't write at all. Those great writers he had discovered and love he paid to them proved his great. He is such a gentleman who was unwilling to take off his hat even at table, but finally when he read the letter from Tom, he took it off. Maybe this is the deepest respect and love as a friend. It was his rethought about the balance of life and work made me love this guy and it was his reflection about the modification he had done to those works made me respect this man.
Maybe one day, when I experienced much enough, genius like Wolfe can be understandable for me.
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