A Wasteland of Contradictions: The California Dreams of Nathanael West

LiteraryTraveler September 1, 2000

0 Comments

By Tim Tejani

El Centro, California lies sixty miles inside the Arizona border in Imperial County. This formidably-named milieu can pass all but unnoticed astride the whir of Interstate-8. It stands a paradox - a place where agriculture impugns the harsh realities of the desert, where pastoral farmlands defy the ever-expansive urban center to the west, where past and present remain eerily coalesced.
El Centro, California lies sixty miles inside the Arizona border in Imperial County. This formidably-named milieu can pass all but unnoticed astride the whir of Interstate-8. It stands a paradox -...

To continue enjoying this please login or subscribe today.

Categories: Articles

Tags: American Authors, American Literature, California, Magic Realism

A Wasteland of Contradictions: The California Dreams of Nathanael West

From The Literary Traveler Archive: By Jim Tejani El Centro, California lies sixty miles inside the Arizona border in Imperial County. This formidably-named milieu can…

LiteraryTraveler January 25, 2025

0 Comments

The Life and Times of Terry Southern: A Texan Gone Hollywood

by Byron Browne “Southern?” she asks, unsure about the word or even what part of speech it may be. “That’s right.” I answer, although I’m…

Amanda October 6, 2009

0 Comments

Edward Abbey Desert Solitaire in the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve

by Audrey Medina The first rays of daylight creep across the jagged black landscape, pushing shadows back beyond the dormant volcano to the sea. The…

Amanda February 9, 2010

0 Comments

Malabar Farm State Park: Louis Bromfield Comes Home Again

By Roy A. Barnes As a writer myself, I found it a refreshing experience to take some time to visit a place that was once…

Carly Cassano May 20, 2006

0 Comments

The Real Story Behind Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

By Paul Millward, “A Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!” says Fred to Scrooge in the opening pages of A Christmas Carol, beginning the literary…

Amanda December 1, 2017

0 Comments

Our Story….

At Literary Traveler we help readers explore their literary imagination. Since 1998, Literary Traveler has provided informative and inspiring travel writing featuring writers and the places that they have traveled. We also have featured a wide variety of literary tours, and literary events to help readers find exciting and interesting places to visit. We have offered unique tours with organizations like Classical Pursuits the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the past we have promoted and participated in literary tours and cruises on The Delta Queen and The Queen Mary 2. Please check out our travel videos and travel blogs.

If you are interesting in writing for Literary Traveler please see our travel writing guidelines. If you are interested in advertising or listing your tours, please contact us at 1-855-LIT-TRVL, 1-855-548- 8785 or use our contact form to request our updated Media Kit. We also consult with various destination marketing organizations, tour companies and hotels and resorts.

We use and recommend Boston Corporate Photographer Brian Smith for our still photos and video needs. We also highly recommend Travel Writer Steve Jermanock's Active Travels as a top Boston Travel Agency for planning your next adventures.

Related Articles