William Faulkner And Joan Williams: The Romance of Two Writers [Paperback]

Lisa C. Hickman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0786425997 | ISBN-13: 978-0786425990

This work looks closely at the relationship between William Faulkner and Memphis novelist Joan Williams. Their story is significant not only in its depth but also in the years of their primary involvement, 1949 to 1953, a period over which Faulkner won both the Nobel Prize and a National Book Award. This is the first book-length study of the Faulkner-Williams relationship, and the first truly attentive consideration of Joan Williams, her impressions of Faulkner, and her commitment to writing. Until now, Williams, an acclaimed novelist, was an outside woman in Faulkner's life. Their affair and friendship is worthy of its own story.

Included here are extensive interviews with Williams conducted over several years about her relationship with Faulkner, their correspondence, and discussions of both his work and her own. It includes all of Williams's letters to Faulkner and his letters, either directly reproduced or paraphrased.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Memphis-based independent scholar Hickman has produced a fascinating book for anyone interested in novelist and poet William Faulkner, novelist Joan Williams, literary biography, tales of unrequited love, or any combination thereof. Made up of letters between the two writers, interviews with Williams, and Hickman's own narrative insights, the book traces the development of the relationship between the principals, who were more than three decades apart in age. Though this relationship lasted only four years (1949 to 53), it was hugely important to the lives and work of both writers. Hickman treats their bond with a deft hand, watching as the two politely even genteelly engage in a tug of war over the nature of the relationship (Williams seeks a mentor, while Faulkner pushes for a romantic tie). There are many excellent biographical works available on Faulkner, but this is the first on his connection with Williams. Recommended for both public and academic libraries; of special interest to those with a Southern literature collection. --Library Journal

Brilliant...insightful...detailed information about the facts...is so artfully accomplished...informative...compelling...a riveting account...provides extensive insights. --Arkansas Review

Remarkable...thoroughly researched...well written...essential...invaluable. --The Key Reporter

About the Author

Lisa C. Hickman is a Memphis writer and independent scholar who has published extensively on the life and work of Joan Williams and William Faulkner. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (October 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786425997
• ISBN-13: 978-0786425990
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,156,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A talent paradoxically aided and crushed, December 4, 2010

By 

Mary L. Tabor (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: William Faulkner And Joan Williams: The Romance of Two Writers (Paperback)

Lisa Hickman's remarkable book about the relationship between the gifted writer Joan Williams and her mentor and tormentor the genius William Faulkner reveals a story that none of Faulkner's biographers has fully accessed. That access is available to you now: Hickman tells of Faulkner's creative process as he revealed his struggle with both the work, depression and reliance on alcohol, a difficult marriage that somehow served him and the way he both gave access to Williams to his agent, editors, a first story in the Atlantic Monthly, entreé into the world of the literati with all their influences. But at the same time, Faulkner both pressured Williams for a sexual relationship and never fully gave her the mandate of his approval for her work. This talented writer was nominated for the National Book Award for her first book but, still, as Richard Bausch eloquently and simply describes, sought late in life a teacher. The mentor and his subject is ultimately at the heart of this lovely, troubling and well-researched book--all done with remarkable access given by Joan Williams to Lisa Hickman into

William's correspondence with Faulkner and into her thoughts on her own work and on his.

I recommend this book to readers of Faulkner, to women writers, to those who write and want to read, as Faulkner told us we should in his Nobel Laureate speach, about the human heart in conflict with itself. This seemingly academic book goes to the heart of the matter in this relationship that meant so much to Faulkner: Williams, always slightly out of reach, remained his muse. Faulkner, ever in pursuit and yet not giving where she needed the gift the most, stood large for Williams: a shadow that engulfed her.

And then, too, we get writing advice from Faulkner that I've not read elsewhere. Here's an example: "You have got to be capable of anything, everything, accepting them I mean, not as experiments, clinical, to see what it does to the mind, like with drugs or dead outside things, but because the heart and body are big enough to accept all the world, all human agony and passion." (p.124)

This is a book that uncovers more than a relationship: it goes to the heart of the creative mind and the power and cruelty of the mentor. Read it!