The English Understand Wool
2022 novella by Helen DeWitt
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The English Understand Wool is a 2022 novella by American author Helen DeWitt. The novella was published by New Directions.
First edition | |
| Author | Helen DeWitt |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | New Directions |
Publication and release
DeWitt announced the upcoming publication of the novella on her Twitter account in November 2021.[1] The novella was published as part of a new series from New Directions, "Storybook ND", which aims to deliver "the pleasure one felt as a child reading a marvelous book from cover to cover in an afternoon."[2][3]
A Wayne Thiebaud painting titled Boston Cremes appears on the book's cover.[4] Books in the "Storybook ND" series were designed by Peter Mendelsund.[4]
Reception
In a review published by The Wall Street Journal, Sam Sacks praised the novella as "delicious".[5] Sacks further wrote that DeWitt, "With an impeccably straight face" manages to direct "superb satirical shots at the publishing industry" through the central character, Marguerite.[5] Publishers Weekly praised the book, writing that DeWitt was "at the top of her game" and that it presented an "explosive rebuke to sensationalistic American publishing".[6]
Reviews published by The Brooklyn Rail and The Millions observed similarities between the protagonist of The English Understand Wool and the protagonist of DeWitt's novel The Last Samurai, Ludo.[7][4]
