Dissatisfied Writers -- #1 in a series -- Garbo
Peter Matthiessen was born into a well-to-do family, traveled the world, and lived into robust old age. He knew famous and important people. He wrote a number of bestsellers, which earned him multiple National Book Awards. Was he satisfied? No.
In "The Wild Man Within" (Yale Review, July 2019) writer Jeff Wheelwright, Matthiessen's nephew, reported that Matthiessen's obsession -- from the 1970s onward -- was to verify the existence of the yeti, aka Bigfoot, aka Sasquatch. And the award-winning author of one bestseller after another couldn't make it happen.
In each episode in this series of posts about authors unhappy with their lot in life, I'll include a recommendation from that writer's body of work. For Peter Matthiessen, I've chosen an early work of his: At Play in the Fields of the Lord. This tale of a three-way clash between a missionary, a mercenary, and a group of indigenous people is a good read.
About 30 years ago, the novel was made into a film.
Next time: John Steinbeck and Walt Whitman.
In "The Wild Man Within" (Yale Review, July 2019) writer Jeff Wheelwright, Matthiessen's nephew, reported that Matthiessen's obsession -- from the 1970s onward -- was to verify the existence of the yeti, aka Bigfoot, aka Sasquatch. And the award-winning author of one bestseller after another couldn't make it happen.
In each episode in this series of posts about authors unhappy with their lot in life, I'll include a recommendation from that writer's body of work. For Peter Matthiessen, I've chosen an early work of his: At Play in the Fields of the Lord. This tale of a three-way clash between a missionary, a mercenary, and a group of indigenous people is a good read.
About 30 years ago, the novel was made into a film.
Next time: John Steinbeck and Walt Whitman.
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| Garbo |
Inspired series idea! Also, another reminder of how neglectful I've been of a well-rounded reading list for most of my life. Your tours and suggestions are always welcome.
ReplyDeleteMatthiessen's fixation on the Yeti reminds me (at least distantly) of Arthur Conan Doyle's belief not only in spiritualism, spirit possession and paranormal abilities (which led to a huge, public falling out between him and former friend Harry Houdini), but also in faeries.