
Between Grief and Nothing
The Passions, Addictions and Tragic End of William Faulkner
Lisa C. Hickman(Author)
McFarland & Co Inc (Publisher)
Published on 20. January 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
221 pages
978-1-4766-9605-8 (ISBN)
Description
In 1962, William Faulkner left his homestead in Oxford, Mississippi, to travel to the nearby Byhalia sanatorium for alcoholism rehabilitation. Mere hours later, the usual recovery he sought turned tragic. This book traces the sequence of events leading to his initial hospitalization, exploring facets of his emotional instability, mental health, and various addictions. It reveals how Faulkner's fervent passions shaped both his life and his art; brilliance and madness emerged in equal measure as the author's substance abuse shaped his reality.
Beneath the scholarly facade depicted in photographs was a troubled man entangled in a complex marriage, seeking solace through serial sexual and romantic affairs, perilous pastimes, and the pervasive culture of alcohol abuse. The ultimate truth surrounding Faulkner's final decline gradually emerges as this book examines previously undisclosed medical details such as patient records, administered medications, and financial statements. Interviews with close associates at the Leonard Wright Sanatorium, the sight of his unexpected death, provide further insights. The text reveals a culture ill-prepared to address mental health crises and identifies the habitual forces that hastened the demise of one of America's most celebrated authors.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Illustrations
Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
368 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4766-9605-8 (9781476696058)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Lisa C. Hickman holds her Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi and is the author of nonfiction books, numerous articles, essays, and book reviews. She has published extensively on the life and work of William Faulkner and Joan Williams.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments viii
Preface
Introduction
One. Stonewall Road: 1962
Two. The Old Country Club: Circa 1948
Three. Estelle
Four. The Road to Glory: 1932-1936
Five. The Past Is Past: 1936-1937
Six. Southern Danger: 1940-1947
Seven. Enter Joan Williams: 1949
Eight. New York and Trouble Follows: 1948-1949
Nine. Per Aspera ad Astra: 1950
Ten. Spooked: 1951
Eleven. Superlative: 1952
Twelve. I Wont Stop In: 1953
Thirteen. Mississippi Ghosts: 1962
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments viii
Preface
Introduction
One. Stonewall Road: 1962
Two. The Old Country Club: Circa 1948
Three. Estelle
Four. The Road to Glory: 1932-1936
Five. The Past Is Past: 1936-1937
Six. Southern Danger: 1940-1947
Seven. Enter Joan Williams: 1949
Eight. New York and Trouble Follows: 1948-1949
Nine. Per Aspera ad Astra: 1950
Ten. Spooked: 1951
Eleven. Superlative: 1952
Twelve. I Wont Stop In: 1953
Thirteen. Mississippi Ghosts: 1962
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index