8 February 2026

Lionel Trilling, a writer who prepared a “posthumous surprise” for readers

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Creating literary works requires a lot of effort, perseverance and the ability to notice details.

I-queens will tell you more.

Only in this way can a person tune in to the right mood and end up with quality work.

Readers will be the ones to appreciate whether a book or a particular work is well written. After all, it is for them that the author tries. Only people’s reactions can ensure the writer’s fame and honor, or a complete fiasco.

Lionel Trilling is destined to go down in history as a renowned American literary critic, short story writer, essayist and teacher.

In the twentieth century, he was considered the leading American critic who analyzed in detail the cultural, social and political significance of literature.

However, his fictional works also enjoyed great fame and had enormous demand among readers.

Interestingly, after the author’s death, fans of his work awaited a real surprise.

What was it? You can find out by reading this article.

Early life

Lionel was born in Queens, New York.

In 1921, he graduated from high school and at the age of sixteen, he began studying at Columbia University.

Later, he decided to become a member of the Boar’s Head Society and started writing articles for a magazine called Morningside.

Teaching career

In 1926, Lionel received his master’s degree and began teaching. The year 1932 marked Lionel’s return to the university. His goal was to obtain a doctorate in English literature. His dream was realized. After this, Lionel began his professorial career, teaching literature at his alma mater.

Author

Trilling is the author of such a novel as The Middle of the Journey. This work tells the story of how a wealthy communist couple met a communist defector and what came of it. 

Among Lionel’s short stories, it is quite fair to single out The Other Margaret. This piece has gained significant popularity.

Other works

In addition, Lionel was also engaged in writing essays and reviews, which were devoted to the author’s reflections on whether literature can challenge morality. These works also delved into the conditions of culture.

According to the critic David Daiches, Trilling’s style is to eliminate and consider the consequences of a literary phenomenon that are important for culture and humanity.

Unfinished work

It is curious that in 2008, the famous Columbia University Press surprised everyone by publishing a novel that Trilling hadn’t managed to finish.

This event really amazed Lionel’s admirers, because no one expected to read a new work from this author, especially after so many years since his passing.

The material was found by researcher Geraldine Murphy in Lionel’s university office among many documents.

The novel was titled The Journey Abandoned: The Unfinished Novel. The story is set in the 1930s.

The protagonist is Vincent Hammell, who is busy writing a biography of the poet Jorris Buxton.

Moreover, the prototype for the latter was the 19th-century Romantic poet Walter Savage Landor.

Subsequently, the writer Cynthia Ozick praised the work. According to her, the novel is a crowded portrait gallery where each image has been meticulously outlined. Their inner essence is revealed through dialogues.

Photo: lithub.com, magazine.columbia.edu

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