Literary Rivals Literary Antagonism Writers Feuds And Private Vexations

This book explores the dramatic, passionate, and often highly public feuds that have erupted between some of the world’s most famous novelists, poets, and playwrights. Rather than focusing purely on their art, Bradford shines a light on the human side of these authors, examining how their massive egos, creative jealousy, and conflicting beliefs fractured historic friendships.
The book details legendary clashes—such as the rivalry between Truman Capote and Gore Vidal, the bitter fallout between Vladimir Nabokov and Edmund Wilson, and Ernest Hemingway’s public breaks from his Paris circle. Ultimately, it shows that these literary grudge matches were not just petty gossip; they deeply influenced the authors’ personal lives and directly shaped the history of literature itself.