Dorothy Parker Books In Order

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Poetry Collections

Publication Order of Plays

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Dorothy Parker

An American writer, poet, and critic, Dorothy Parker was unsurpassed when it came to her rapid-fire wit and intellect. Playing with words and turning them on their head, she could twist a turn-of-phrase with the slightest of ease, creating some memorable one-liners. Instantly delivering home-truths in the blink of an eye, her writing was always succinct, immediately getting to the heart of the matter. Being able to read between the lines as well, her critiques were always second to none, making her one of the most powerful voices during her time.

Many of her one-liners have gone on to become common place, as they often repeated, as she’s left behind a legacy that will continue to live on. Not only that, but she was also known for writing short-fiction of her own as well, publishing a number of short-stories during her lifetime. An astute writer, she could instantly identify people, making her an extremely observant author with some highly engaging perspectives. A key member of the infamous Algonquin Round Table as well, she was well-known alongside other famous authors and wits during the 1920s.

Often satirizing conventions and ideas, she was also a writer with a social-conscience as well, dedicating herself to many causes. Working as a screenwriter in Hollywood for a period penning such classics as ‘A Star is Born,’ she would be sidelined for her left-wing politics. A woman of conviction, she would continue to write, with many of her works later going on to see adaptations of their own. Leaving behind a legacy that is still recognized to this day, her following continues to grow, with more and more discovering her work every day.

Early and Personal Life

Born Dorothy Rothschild on 22nd of August in 1893, the writer to be Dorothy Parker was born Long Branch, New Jersey. Raised in the Upper West Side, she would attend a Roman Catholic elementary school there, before going on to attend Miss Dana’s School in Morristown, New Jersey. A finishing school, she would graduate in 1911 at the age of eighteen, before playing piano at a dancing school and working on her poetry.

After her career took off, Dorothy Parker would become a key fixture of the 1920s literary scene in New York, setting up the Algonquin Round Table in 1919 whereby members would get together weekly and exchange barbs. Later she would go on to work in Hollywood, before being put on the Hollywood Blacklist for her outspoken left-wing politics of the time. Passing away in Manhattan on the 7th of June in 1967, she would leave her estate to Martin Luther King Jr., who in turn bequeathed it to the NAACP.

Writing Career

Selling her first poem to Vanity Fair in 1914, Dorothy Parker would later go on to work as an editorial assistant for Vogue. During the 1920s she would go on publish over 300 poems within publications such as Vanity Fair, Vogue, and The New Yorker, just to name a few. In 1926 she would publish her first volume of poetry titled ‘Enough Rope,’ which would be met with favorable reviews at the time.

Creating plays for Broadway as well, she would write alongside playwrights such as Elmer Rice, producing ‘Close Harmony’ in 1924. Her Hollywood years would begin in 1932 after meeting Alan Campbell, continuing through to 1949 when she was blacklisted, producing the screenplay ‘The Fan’ as her last film. Working in radio as well, she would continue to write, producing short-fiction as well as prose, much of which is still revered to this day.

Complete Stories

Originally publishing all the way back in 1924, these would later be collected and published complete in 2002 through the Penguin Press imprint. Bringing all of the short-stories of Dorothy Parker together, it would collect them all in one large volume of all her short-fiction. With Colleen Bresse as the editor, there would also be an introduction from Regina Barreca later on as well, providing an overview of the edition.

In this collection of short-stories Dorothy Parker often writes about the urban milieu, looking at the everyday lives of everyday people. Bringing to the forefront the otherwise ordinary and mundane, she casts a light on people and characters from all walks of life. Grounding them with a real sense of purpose, the book lays bare their hopes, ambitions, and uncertainties, showing who they are as people. Showing reality for what it really is, she casts an acerbic yet compassionate eye on all of her characters, delivering something honest and truthful in the process.

There’s plenty of dark humor here at the heart of each of these stories, looking at everything, from social-climbers to racism. Dealing with it all in her own unique style, Parker ensures that it all remains hugely entertaining every step of the way. Not only that, but the stories remain as relevant today as they ever were, bringing out some timeless truths and observations.

The Complete Poems of Dorothy Parker

First published in 1944, this would see a later edition in 1999 through the ‘Penguin Classics’ outlet once again. Collecting all of Dorothy Parker’s poetry together, it comprised all of her other poetry collections, brought together in a single volume. Being a complete collection makes it a must for any fan of the author looking to find out more on her life and work.

Dubbed as the ‘wittiest woman in America’ after the release of her 1926 poetry collection ‘Enough Rope,’ Dorothy Parker would write a large collection of prose and poetry. Brought together here, all of her poems would be collected from the 1920s and 30s, providing a real insight into her and her world. Earning a lot of praise from critics and contemporaries at the time, her poetry would go on to become highly regarded with readers from all over. With over three volumes of poetry, including ‘Sunset Gun,’ ‘Death and Taxes,’ ‘Hate Songs,’ and ‘Enough Rope,’ there’s plenty here for fans of the author to enjoy.

Perfectly showcasing her caustic wit, this has everything one could want when it comes to the writer’s poetry. Delivering it all in a clear and coherent manner, it’s well laid out, ensuring that it’s easy to pick up and read at any time. There’s a whole range of emotions being offered here, as it provides a range of different ideas for readers to immerse themselves within.