THE WALRUS SAID . . . . . . . . . being a bookish blog

Thursday, May 21, 2026

The Biblio File: images of readers, for bibliophiles


Peter Worsley

David Levine on writers: Edith Wharton

David Levine (1926-2009) was one of America’s most prominent illustrators during a career that spanned decades. No less an authority than Jules Feiffer described him as "the greatest caricaturist of the last half of the 20th century,” although Levine continued to work in the early years of this century as well. Levine’s subjects included himself (above) and people from many walks of life. Authors, scribes and scribblers were a big part of the mix, as these caricatures make clear. 

Lit Toons: Cartoons with a bookish bent

First Lines: Daniel Woodrell


She frightened me at every dawn the summer I stayed with her.

The Maid’s Version
Daniel Woodrell

"They say it's your birthday" - writers born on May 21



Robert Creeley  (1926)
Alexander Pope  (1688)
Harold Robbins  (1916)