Heaven's My Destination: A Comic Literary Masterpiece of Depression-Era America

Heaven's My Destination: A Comic Literary Masterpiece of Depression-Era America

“If John Steinbeck’s mighty Grapes of Wrath is the tragic novel of the Great Depression, then Heaven’s My Destination is its comic masterpiece. —J.D. McClatchy A hilarious tale about goodness in a fallen world, Heaven’s My Destination introduces George Marvin Brush, one of Thornton Wilder's most memorable characters. Brush, a traveling textbook salesman, is a fervent religious convert who is determined to lead a good life. With sad and sometimes hilarious consequences, his travels take him through smoking cars, bawdy houses, banks, and campgrounds from Texas to Illinois—and into the soul of Depression-era America itself. This special edition includes an updated afterword by Wilder’s nephew, Tappan Wilder, with illuminating material about the author and book. “Here is a book that provides total pleasure—a picaresque contemporary Candide or Don Quixote , written with both affection and a gimlet eye. . . . It reads like a loving comedy.”  - New Yorker "One of the most American books ever written. . . . Thornton Wilder's best, and most unexpected, book." - Wilfrid Sheed THORNTON WILDER (1897–1975) is the only writer to win Pulitzer Prizes for both drama ( Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth ) and fiction ( The Bridge of San Luis Rey ). He collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock on Shadow of a Doubt , hiked the Alps with the heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney, received a Bronze Star for his service in World War II, and was credited with discovering Orson Welles. He was also a much-loved teacher, letter-writer (especially with Gertrude Stein), and public speaker—in four languages. Hello, Dolly! is based on his play The Matchmaker. Learn more about his extraordinary life and work at thorntonwilder.com.