"A sequel to Look homeward, angel, describing the author's young manhood at Harvard, in New York and Europe." Cf. Hanna, A. Mirror for the nation
A fictionalized autobiography, using the name Eugene Gant for Wolfe's, detailing the protagonist's early and mid-twenties, during which time the character attends Harvard University, moves to New York City and teaches English at a university there, and travels overseas with the character Francis Starwick. Francis Starwick was based on Wolfe's friend, playwright Kenneth Raisbeck