William Wharton, the painter-turned-author whose first novel, Birdy, won the National Book Award and became a critically acclaimed movie, has died in Encinitas, California. He was 82.
That's a really interesting theory, Maxine; and, I can see why it might circulate as a kind of urban legend (prolly started by JDS to humanise him); but, I think WW had a heart; and, as far as I know, JDS didn't, really, did he? Just rhetorically musing, of course; and, WW's heart-fullness really shines in Birdy, IMO. I'll have to read Dad; but, I did love A Midnight Clear (although, now, I'm pretty sure his used-book prices will rise unless . . . Agnes, the drivers' licensing and renewal dame, doesn't know who he is and was and shall eternally be).
I don't think she reads this blog, somehow; her son goes to the Royal Conservatory of Guitar (which doesn't exist; but, I didn't have the heart to tell her that last week; and, so, just said, GREAT, Aggie; you must be so proud of him!). He goes to the Royal Conservatory of Music :). She just beamed and beamed . . . The kind of character WW would have loved, IOW. JDS? Hrm-m-m, n-n-n-not so much!
I loved his books (preferred Dad and A Midnight Clear to Birdy, but still loved Birdy).
ReplyDeleteThere was once a theory, I think discredited emphatically, that WW and Salinger were/are one and the same.
That's a really interesting theory, Maxine; and, I can see why it might circulate as a kind of urban legend (prolly started by JDS to humanise him); but, I think WW had a heart; and, as far as I know, JDS didn't, really, did he? Just rhetorically musing, of course; and, WW's heart-fullness really shines in Birdy, IMO. I'll have to read Dad; but, I did love A Midnight Clear (although, now, I'm pretty sure his used-book prices will rise unless . . . Agnes, the drivers' licensing and renewal dame, doesn't know who he is and was and shall eternally be).
ReplyDeleteI don't think she reads this blog, somehow; her son goes to the Royal Conservatory of Guitar (which doesn't exist; but, I didn't have the heart to tell her that last week; and, so, just said, GREAT, Aggie; you must be so proud of him!). He goes to the Royal Conservatory of Music :). She just beamed and beamed . . . The kind of character WW would have loved, IOW. JDS? Hrm-m-m, n-n-n-not so much!