Tom: The Unknown Tennesse Williams [Paperback]

Lyle Leverich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

The riveting, revelatory, and sole authorized account of the critical first decades of Tennessee Williams's life. Tennessee Williams, author of such indelible masterpieces as The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire, is considered by many to be the greatest literary artist of the American theater. Tom is Lyle Leverich's definitive account based on his exclusive access to letters, diaries, unpublished manuscripts, and family documents of Williams's early life and of the events that shaped this most autobiographical of dramatists. It tells the story of the marital traumas of his bullying father and overly protective mother, the mental disorders that institutionalized his beloved sister Rose, his stalled academic career, and his confused sexuality and early successes as a writer; and it leaves Thomas Lanier Williams on the brink of fame with The Glass Menagerie and his transformation into the celebrated persona of "Tennessee."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After a protracted squabble over private papers with the playwright's estate, Leverich delivers this hefty but only slightly bloated first volume of a projected two-volume life of Tennessee Williams (1911-1983). In it, Leverich?who produced several of Williams's plays and calls himself Williams's "chosen biographer"?covers the years through 1945, when The Glass Menagerie opened on Broadway. Treated are Williams's youth in Mississippi and St. Louis; the college years at the universities of Missouri and Iowa; bumming around (but always writing) in New Orleans and Greenwich Village; the disaster of his first Broadway play (it closed in Boston); script writing?or avoiding it?at MGM's Hollywood mill; and, finally, the evolution of Menagerie, a wonderfully detailed and dramatic case history in itself. Leverich's overworked conceit, which he restates at intervals, is that this is the life of Tom Williams, a "repressed puritan" poet, who in time created a more flamboyant public persona called Tennessee. A few matters are set straight. Leverich maintains his subject's active homosexual life started in his late 20s, later than Williams stated in his memoirs, and that his sister's infamous lobotomy came later than his mother claimed. Although the accumulation of information is impressive, the lower Leverich keeps his own profile and editorial commentary the better his book is, which means it is at its best when it simply reproduces Williams's sporadically kept journal. If you believe that all the details of a life are but preparation for a single event?in this case, the opening of a remarkable play?this is an impressively argued biography. Even if you don't, it is a compulsively readable story. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Theatrical producer Leverich was personally selected by Williams to write his biography (this is the first of two books; the second will focus on Williams once he became famous). It is clear that Leverich understands Williams as poet, dramatist, and human being-and the impact of each on the other. Concerning his outrageous behavior, Williams once wrote that "when I now appear in public the children are called indoors and the dogs are pushed out!" What lasted longest in Williams's life was his passion for writing-even when what he wrote was no longer successful. Williams battled his "blue devils"-his fear of madness; addictive, promiscuous homosexual behavior; and alcoholism-for most of his adult life. His mother, father, and sister contributed greatly to the creation of characters in his plays. Williams became a wayfarer, constantly seeking comfort in distant places with strangers, haunted by the nightingale (his own word for sexual intrigue). If Williams were here to read this book, he would undoubtedly use one of his favorite phrases, En avant! ("Forward march!"). Highly recommended.
Robert L. Kelly, Fort Wayne Community Schs., Ind.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 678 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393316637
• ISBN-13: 978-0393316636
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to know Williams, this book is essential., September 8, 2001

By 

Diana Koga (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tom: The Unknown Tennesse Williams (Paperback)

Meticulously researched and sensitively written, this book is the definitive biography of Tennessee Williams, even though it only covers the period up to the beginning of his success. I haven't found any others that can rival its quality. The depth and detail are unsurpassed in Leverich's finely crafted portrait, revealing the many facets of one of America's greatest playwrights. As a "theater person," Leverich brings a special authority to his work, infusing it with expert analysis and theatrical history. A really great read!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sensational biography about a senational writer!, August 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tom: The Unknown Tennesse Williams (Paperback)

"Tom: The Unknown Tennessee Williams" is a biography
written like a novel. Truly, this is the best account of Williams'
life, both personal and professional. Leverich captures the true Tom -
the man behind the writer, in an objective and sensual way. From
interviews from friends, professional associates and family, Leverich
paints a vivid picture of Williams and reveals his inner most feelings
from personal journal entries. As a poet-playwright, his writings have
established an eternal legacy, as a man, Leverich has provided the
means of understanding this legacy.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Superbly Researched, September 29, 2004

By 

Rebecca Kinson (Fredericksburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tom: The Unknown Tennesse Williams (Paperback)

This was the most interesting biography I have ever read. I found that I was even reading the footnotes and bibliography!

The book begins with a delve into Tennessee Williams' genealogy (including a chart, which I referred to frequently while reading the book). The author goes on to describe Tennesee's formative years, home life, and young-adulthood. The book takes the reader up through Tennessee's overwhelming success with "The Glass Menagerie."

I found the book (and, therefore, Tennessee Williams) so interesting that I began researching Williams' works and also his favorite writers (Hart Crane, DH Lawrence). I call a biography a complete success that could have such an effect as it has on me.

I look forward to the next edition, though I wonder if it will ever be in print.