Tom: The Unknown Tennessee Williams

by Lyle Leverich

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 Tom is Lyle Leverich's definitive account based on his exclusive access to letters, diaries, unpublished manuscripts, and family documents of Williams's early life and of the events that shaped this most autobiographical of dramatists.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."

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Theatre, Collections, Queer, Biography Memoir, Literature

676 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 1995

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a hair shy of perfection in literary biography.

What is absent nearly altogether, and what I miss, is analysis of TW's writing before Glass Menagerie. To my mind his thought and perspective on the world must represent events in his inner/imaginary/creative life. These events needn't correspond to happenings that a contemporary could have observed and reported. But even if the poems and plays express momentary feelings, thoughts or experiments in sensibility and expression, these are also biographical facts, and I want to know about the content of his thinking, the absolute presuppositions from which he created his poems and plays. No content of this kind appears in Leverich's biography.

I found the device that Leverich deployed endlessly a bit annoying. He insisted that "Tom," the young poet morphed into "Tennessee" the professional playwright, that "Tom" in fact created "Tennessee" and hid behind that persona in order to protect "Tom," his kinder, gentler self. I don't buy this for a minute - for many reason, not least of which is that Leverich characterizes both "Tom" and "Tennessee" differently as the biography proceeded. Neither "Tom"" nor "Tennessee" became fixed and settled identities as far as I can tell. Moreover, Leverich was primarily a man of the theater - so he appears to like these discontinuities and plot points to enhance the drama of a biography that was sufficiently eventful without resort to an artifical construct. Then there's the point that as a historian, I am very reluctant to accept discontinuity of just about any type. What Leverich sees as discontinuity, I see as maturation.

But this second criticism is a minor quibble with one of the best literary biographies I have read.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most impressive, insightful biography I've ever read. Lyle Leverich made Tennessee's life so real I felt like I knew him and he was in the room with me whenever I opened this book. This volume (Tom) encompasses only the first half of Tennessee’s life, up to The Glass Menagerie. Leverich was going to continue with volume II, to be called 'Tennessee', but died before he could finish it, more's the pity and loss for us.

[Mamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the definitive biography of T. W. An insightful look into to an artists life and process. As a visual artist I connected on many levels to this book. T.W. was a deep complex man, full of demons and manic energy. If you love his plays, I highly recommend this book. Leverich really goes into T.W's characters and how they evolved to become his memorable archetypes.

[Michael Flick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less can be more, and more can be less. Were this book half as long, it might have been twice as good. It's so detailed that it's chatter, repetitious and lacking perspective. Tennessee Williams kept himself hidden and was a chameleon; this book doesn't manage to reveal him. He was just as unknown to me when I finished reading as he was when I started.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An autobiography that must be read it you like Tennessee Williams, a very profound writer and screen writer. The early life of TW by An author with an excellent record of developing autobiographies which impacts have survived after many years. This is an excellent read for fans of TW and Kyle Leverich.

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking biography of America's greatest dramatist genius, from his birth to the debut of THE GLASS MENAGERIE on Broadway in 1945. I could tell you to wait for a full review, but this book has such an unusual history that I must beg your patience to read the alternate version on the same/not same subject by another author.

[Lenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long and too depressing!

[Fredrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Well, my dear, when I now appear in public the children are called indoors and the dogs are pushed out.”
--Tennessee Williams in a letter to Paul Bigelow

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyle Leverich was asked by Tennessee Williams to write this Biography which tells the story of his dysfunctional upbringing in the early 1900's. His mother was a former Southern Belle, his father was emotionally absent and critical, and his sister was mentally unstable. Tennessee was born Tom Williams and spent most of his life trying to become a successful writer so he could escape his miserable homelife and become financially secure. I chose this book after seeing "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Glass Menagerie" at the theater. I wanted to learn about the man behind these incredibly moving plays. The author did a wonderful job of telling the Tom/Tennessee Williams story - through the use of close friends' accounts, Tennessee's journals and talking firsthand to the playright himself.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just fantastic, everything a biography should be. It's immensely detailed, yet always remains immensely readable. It's neither hagiography nor expose, but simply tries to tell the story as clearly as possible. Sometimes that means contradicting Williams himself, and it always means finding as many sources as possible for every incident. My only disappointment is that with Leverich's death in 1999, there will be no concluding volume.

[Edgar W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love biographies and this is one of the best by far. Lyle Leverich intended to write another bio about the elder Tom but he unfortunately passed away. Tennessee Williams was the most complex, talented playwright of the 20th century and his story is one of success and eventually of bitter failure. Fascinating!

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tennessee Williams was both a prolific letter-writer and a prolific journal-keeper, so his biographer had a lot of material to draw from. But sometimes you can leave some of it out! 600 pages and it only covered the first half of his life...much of it was repetitive and stagnant.

[Doug Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and long dive into the formative years of Williams, cultivating with the starry success of "The Glass Menagerie" and his ascension as one of America's leading playwrights. Sadly, author Lyle Leverich died before completing the planned sequel covering the rest of Williams' career.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best profile of TW I've read. Entertaining and enlightening, and extremely thorough and well-researched.

[Steven Hartman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept hoping it would get more enjoyable but I couldn't get into it so I stopped reading around page 400.

[Alan Gerstle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a aficionado of Tennessee Williams, you will probably like this book. If you're not it's irrelevant whether it's a good book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and comprehensive biography covering the first half of the playwright's life. Well-written and accessible. Good documentation. Fascinating.

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most engaging biography I've ever read. So sorry that part 2 was not completed before the author passed away.

The passages from Williams' journal are worth the price of admission.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with Tennessee Williams.

[Todd McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Poignant!!