Calvin Tomkins, Living Well is the Best Revenge

- Dimensions: 7.5" x 4.8" 

- Published in 1971, Living Well is the Best Revenge is an intimate portrait of two of the Lost Generation’s most colorful figures, Sara and Gerald Murphy. Calvin Tomkins’ account paints in vivid detail the couple’s time in France, where their guests-- who included the likes of Porter, Picasso, Léger, Hemingway and the Fitzgeralds-- famously pronounced them “masters of the art of living.”

- The expats created a life abroad that today lives on in art only-- both their own, and the inspired work of their contemporaries. Captivated by the Cubist movement sweeping Paris in 1922, Gerald began a painting career of his own. Today, seven of his works survive and are considered American modernist masterpieces. Tompkins explores the personal tragedies which led to the untimely end of his artistic career in 1929.

- Tomkins’ text is enhanced by nearly 70 black and white photographs from the Murphys’ family album, along with images of Gerald's work.

- One of our absolute favorite reads ever.

- This Modern Library Edition was published in 1998 and is in very good condition. Please see our detailed photos.