Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Jazz Age
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY: Dover
STATE: DE
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://wesley.edu/faculty/linda-de-roche * http://www.dehumanities.org/blog/speakers/dr-linda-de-roche/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: n 2002047687
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/n2002047687
HEADING: De Roche, Linda
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010 __ |a n 2002047687 |z n 87111469
035 __ |a (OCoLC)oca05938470
040 __ |a DLC |b eng |e rda |c DLC |d IdU |d DLC
046 __ |f 1952-03-31 |2 edtf
100 1_ |a De Roche, Linda
370 __ |c United States |f Dover (Del.) |2 naf
372 __ |a American literature |2 lcsh
373 __ |a Wesley College (Dover, Del.) |s 1988
374 __ |a College teachers |2 lcsh
375 __ |a female
377 __ |a eng
400 1_ |a Roche, Linda de
400 1_ |w nne |a Pelzer, Linda Claycomb
670 __ |a De Roche, Linda. Revisiting Mary Higgins Clark, 2003: |b CIP t.p. (Linda De Roche)
670 __ |a The Jazz Age, 2015: |b title page (Linda De Roche) page 237 (professor of English and American Studies at Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. Her published works include: Mary Higgins Clark : life and letters, Student companion to Willa Cather, and Student companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Doctorate in English from University of Notre Dame)
670 __ |a Wesley College WWW site, viewed October 30, 2015: |b her page (Dr. Linda De Roche, professor of English and American Studies. M.A. and Ph.D., English, University of Notre Dame; B.A., English, Ball State University. Author of 6 books of literary analysis on authors F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, Mary Higgins Clark, and Erich Segal)
670 __ |a The Whetstone : the independent student newspaper of Wesley College, via the WWW, viewed October 30, 2015: |b posted February 15, 2010 (Linda De Roche; has been teaching English courses at Wesley since 1988. Earned her B.A. in English from Ball State University in 1974. Enrolled at University of Notre Dame, awarded her Ph. D. in 1984 in English when she finished her dissertation on Henry James) posted April 21, 2012 (married John Pelzer two years after their graduation; he died in 1997)
670 __ |a nuc87-68453: Her Henry James and the rhetoric of gesture, 1984 |b (hdg. on InNd rept.: Pelzer, Linda Claycomb; usage: Linda Claycomb Pelzer)
670 __ |a Her Mary Higgins Clark, 1996: |b CIP t.p. (Linda C. Pelzer)
670 __ |a Her Student companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald, 2000: |b CIP t.p. (Linda C. Pelzer) data sheet (b. Mar. 31, 1952)
670 __ |a Email communication from author, October 30, 2015 |b text (She has published under two names: Linda Claycomb Pelzer and Linda De Roche) signature block (Linda De Roche)
953 __ |a lk09
PERSONAL
Born March 31, 1952; married John Pelzer, 1986 (deceased, 1997).
EDUCATION:Ball State University, B.A., 1974; University of Notre Dame, M.A., Ph.D., 1984.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Academic. Wesley College, Dover, DE, professor of English and American studies 1988—, chair of English Department. Fulbright scholar.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Linda De Roche is an academic. She completed a bachelor’s degree in English at Ball State University before going on to finish a master’s degree and then a Ph.D. in English in 1984 at the University of Notre Dame, with a dissertation on Henry James. De Roche eventually became a professor of English and American studies at Delaware’s Wesley College, where she has lectured on American literature and culture and gender studies since 1988. She additionally worked as the chair of the English Department. De Roche has served as a Fulbright Scholar and researched the American Civil War while in England. De Roche has written numerous critical companions for a range of authors, including Mary Higgins Clark, Erich Segal, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Willa Cather.
Mary Higgins Clark
De Roche published Mary Higgins Clark: Life and Letters in 2011. The account looks at the themes covered in Clark’s bestselling novels and pairs them with the events in the author’s life that served as major influences. De Roche offers summaries of the novels and major characters to draw these links. She also inserts a filmography of Clark’s works, a bibliography of interviews and other articles on her, and reviews of her novels.
Writing in Mystery Scene Online, Jon L. Breen took note of the “interesting” side stories that De Roche includes in her book on Clark’s life. Breen did, however, point out that some of De Roche’s analysis of Clark’s biography was already “obvious” to those familiar with her life. Breen acknowledged the balance in the account, commenting that although the author was “clearly an admirer of her subject, she is not reluctant to quote critical detractors.”
The Jazz Age
In 2015 De Roche published The Jazz Age: A Historical Exploration of Literature. The account serves as an introduction to the Jazz Age of the early twentieth century, focusing on the literature from this period. De Roche allots one chapter to a novel each from authors Nella Larsen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, Anita Loos, and Ernest Hemingway, offering synopses and also reflections on why these novels continue to be important and relevant to a contemporary readership. De Roche also discusses numerous movements and contemporary events that provide context for the times, such as the Harlem Renaissance.
Reviewing the book in Choice, L.A. Brewer remarked that some of the content seemed to be “off topic.” However, Brewer insisted that “instructors would do well to include The Jazz Age on a class reading list for the background” of the period that it covers. Overall, Brewer “recommended” the book, particularly for undergraduate students and also general readers.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Choice, March 1, 2001, T.P. Riggio, review of Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald, p. 1274; April 1, 2016, L.A. Brewer, review of The Jazz Age: A Historical Exploration of Literature, p. 1165.
Reference & Research Book News, November 1, 2000, review of Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald, p. 179; February 1, 2004, review of Revisiting Mary Higgins Clark: A Critical Companion, p. 246; November 1, 2006, review of Student Companion to Willa Cather; June 1, 2011, review of Mary Higgins Clark: Life and Letters.
Reference Reviews, January 1, 2001, review of Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Women’s Studies, 2007, Patricia Ahearn, review of Student Companion to Willa Cather, p. 304.
ONLINE
Delaware Humanities Forum Web site, http://www.dehumanities.org/ (May 1, 2017), author profile.
Mystery Scene Online, http://www.mysteryscenemag.com/ (May 1, 2017), Jon L. Breen, review of Mary Higgins Clark: Life and Letters.
Wesley College Web site, http://wesley.edu/ (May 1, 2017), author profile.*
Linda De Roche
Professor of English and American Studies & Chair of English Department
Contact Information
Location: College Center 406
Email: linda.deroche@wesley.edu
Phone: (302) 736-2454
Linda De Roche is Professor of English and American Studies at Wesley College in Dover, DE, where she teaches courses in American literature and culture and gender studies. A former Fulbright Scholar who conducted research on the American Civil War in England, she holds the doctorate from the University of Notre Dame and has published scholarly works on classic and contemporary writers including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, Edith Wharton, and Mary Higgins Clark. She is currently at work on a study of Jazz Age literary works and a biography of Mrs. Victor Bruce, a contemporary of Amelia Earhart, who in the 1920s and 1930s held land, air, and sea speed and endurance records and once flew solo around the world. Mrs. Victor Bruce reflects Dr. De Roche’s interest in the achievements and exploits of unconventional women.
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 1/8
Print Marked Items
De Roche, Linda. The jazz age: a historical
exploration of literature
L.A. Brewer
CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries.
53.8 (Apr. 2016): p1165.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Brewer, L.A. "De Roche, Linda. The jazz age: a historical exploration of literature." CHOICE: Current Reviews for
Academic Libraries, Apr. 2016, p. 1165. Book Review Index Plus, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA449661522&it=r&asid=96b117ce53c2093bfa5b5f42bfe2d681.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A449661522
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 2/8
Mary Higgins Clark; life and letters
Reference & Research Book News.
26.3 (June 2011):
COPYRIGHT 2011 Ringgold, Inc.
http://www.ringgold.com/
Full Text:
9780313366376
Mary Higgins Clark; life and letters.
De Roche, Linda.
Praeger
2011
172 pages
$44.95
Hardcover
PS3553
De Roche (English and American studies, Wesley College) presents a critique of popular suspense author Mary Higgins
Clark which connects important events in her life to the evolution and establishment of her literary style, themes and
character development. De Roche links the death of Clark's father during the family's financial struggle in the Great
Depression, the relatively early loss of her husband, and her conservative, sheltered upbringing and married life to the
underlying character of her heroines. She traces the connections to widowhood, fraught fatherdaughter relationships,
strong maternal bonds, and current events throughout Clark's novels, demonstrating the ways in which Clark's own
experiences impacted her literary choices and imbued her themes and characters.
([c]2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Mary Higgins Clark; life and letters." Reference & Research Book News, June 2011. Book Review Index Plus,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA257996394&it=r&asid=53eb3966d5b1e02976d52a4e21642df4.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A257996394
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 3/8
The Student Companion to Willa Cather
Patricia Ahearn
Women's Studies.
36.4 (June 2007): p304.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Ahearn, Patricia. "The Student Companion to Willa Cather." Women's Studies, vol. 36, no. 4, 2007, p. 304. Book
Review Index Plus, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA167003777&it=r&asid=d91f0bb1c9da666c954c4bee46f87db2.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A167003777
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 4/8
Student companion to Willa Cather
Reference & Research Book News.
21.4 (Nov. 2006):
COPYRIGHT 2006 Ringgold, Inc.
http://www.ringgold.com/
Full Text:
0313328420
Student companion to Willa Cather.
De Roche, Linda.
Greenwood Press
2006
218 pages
$65.00
Hardcover
Student companions to classic writers
PS3505
For high school students, college nonmajors, and general readers, De Roche (English and American studies, Wesley
College) examines the biography, influences, and major works of Willa Cather, following the format of the series,
which emphasizes plot and character development, critical reception, and themes, while closing with alternative critical
perspectives such as psychological, Marxist, or feminist readings. De Roche looks closely at The Troll Garden,
Alexander's Bridge, O Pioneers!, The Song of the Lark, My Antonia, The Professor's House, Death Comes for the
Archbishop, and Shadows on the Rock. The bibliography includes reviews and criticism for each of the works
discussed.
([c]20062005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Student companion to Willa Cather." Reference & Research Book News, Nov. 2006. Book Review Index Plus,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA153754709&it=r&asid=e078862414df8a27eb52dd722c018702.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A153754709
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 5/8
Revisiting Mary Higgins Clark: A Critical
Companion
Reference & Research Book News.
19.1 (Feb. 2004): p246.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Revisiting Mary Higgins Clark: A Critical Companion." Reference & Research Book News, Feb. 2004, p. 246. Book
Review Index Plus, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA128976894&it=r&asid=1ae2dd1caaa8d46e93708b23bf0df916.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A128976894
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 6/8
Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald
T. P. Riggio
CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries.
38.7 (Mar. 2001): p1274.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
Riggio, T. P. "Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald." CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, Mar.
2001, p. 1274. Book Review Index Plus, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA72391675&it=r&asid=13d565ed43f1bc03fd6a98d0df38b2af.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A72391675
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 7/8
Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald
Reference Reviews.
(Jan. 2001): pONL.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald." Reference Reviews, Jan. 2001, p. ONL. Book Review Index Plus,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA35068343&it=r&asid=6c5786e1b9cfb58a755f95cb687f0281.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A35068343
3/11/2017 Book Review Index Plus Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=BRIP&ts=1489262870061 8/8
Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald
Reference & Research Book News.
15 (Nov. 2000): p179.
Source Citation (MLA 8
th Edition)
"Student Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald." Reference & Research Book News, Nov. 2000, p. 179. Book Review Index
Plus, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=BRIP&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA35067682&it=r&asid=fca2423a3dac63f67a3d277a0d136eb4.
Accessed 11 Mar. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A35067682
De Roche, Linda. The jazz age: a historical exploration of literature
L.A. Brewer
53.8 (Apr. 2016): p1165.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association CHOICE
http://www.ala.org/acrl/choice/about
De Roche, Linda. The jazz age: a historical exploration of literature. Greenwood, 2015. 237p bibl index afp ISBN 9781610696678 cloth, $61.00; ISBN 9781610696685 ebook, contact publisher for price
(cc) 53-3391
PS223
2015-22751 CIP
De Roche (Wesley College) provides a credible and basic introduction to the era of flappers, speakeasies, rampant consumerism, and Lost Generation disillusion. The book features a general overview of a novel apiece by Sinclair Lewis, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Anita Loos, Ernest Hemingway, and Nella Larsen. Students will appreciate the synopses of the novels and De Roche's explanations in each chapter of "why we read" the particular book being considered. In addition, for each novel De Roche includes documents that supply context related to contemporary events and notable movements, such as the Harlem Renaissance. Most of these supplemental readings are informative and entertaining. Case in point: in a wry article chosen by De Roche as background material for Anita Loos's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Robert Sherwood laments not having attended any orgies, witnessed any murders, or obtained any drugs in his contact with the emerging Hollywood movie culture. That said, some of the documents seem a bit off topic--for example, Arthur Robinson's lengthy "My Friend Babe Ruth" in the Gatsby section. Nonetheless, instructors would do well to include The Jazz Age on a class reading list for the background it would afford those unfamiliar with the period. Summing Up: ** Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers.--L. A. Brewer, Instructional Connections
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Brewer, L.A. "De Roche, Linda. The jazz age: a historical exploration of literature." CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, Apr. 2016, p. 1165. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA449661522&it=r&asid=980cc1a88c2bd0bbd4afbc9e42b0cbf5. Accessed 12 Apr. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A449661522