Joyce Cary (1888–1957) was born in Ireland. He studied to be a painter before serving in the British military and civil service in West Africa. In 1920 he returned to England and devoted himself to writing. »

Brad Leithauser is a novelist, poet, and essayist. He lives in Massachusetts. »

To Be a Pilgrim

By Joyce Cary
Introduction by Brad Leithauser

People lie to themselves and lie to each other, and the lies they tell become their lives. Tom Wilcher, the hero of the second volume of Joyce Cary's First Trilogy, has been at various times a political activist, a closefisted lawyer, a self-sacrificing brother, and a dirty old man. But as he faces death his unfulfilled spiritual yearnings are uppermost in his mind.

Read the introduction (PDF)


Reviews

A master among the English novelists of his time.
— Madison Smartt Bell

Also see:

Herself Surprised
By Joyce Cary
Introduction by Brad Leithauser

Herself Surprised, the first volume of Joyce Cary's remarkable First Trilogy, introduces Sara Monday, a woman at once dissolute and devout, passionate and sly.
The Horse's Mouth
By Joyce Cary
Introduction by Brad Leithauser

The Horse's Mouth, the third and most celebrated volume of Joyce Cary's First Trilogy, is perhaps the finest novel ever written about an artist.


Sign up for our free email newsletters for updates and special offers on NYRB books.

Format: Paperback
Retail Price: $14.95
Price: $11.21 (25% off)


Oct 31, 1999
400 pages
ISBN: 0940322188
9780940322189
Literature in English
NYRB Classics

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

   Share