He Flies Through the Air With the Greatest of Ease: A William Saroyan Reader

by William E. Justice (editor)

In celebration of one of America s literary greats Through the air on the flying trapeze, his mind hummed. Amusing it was, astoundingly funny. A trapeze to God, or to nothing, a flying trapeze to some sort of eternity; he prayed objectively for strength to make the flight with grace. From The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze Published for the centennial celebration of this iconic author s birth, this collection of his writings overflows with the exuberance that William Saroyan brought to life. Previously unpublished works as well as the short stories, plays, novels (in excerpt), and essays that made him the darling of the literary world are included in this volume. Filled with the ecstasy, pathos, and youthful wonder that characterize his opus, this anthology reintroduces us to one of America s most important twentieth-century writers. Saroyan became an instant literary star in 1934 when Story magazine published The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze. Until his death in 1981, Saroyan was prolific in many genres and one of the first American writers to address the immigrant experience. He is admired as a writer s writer for his unique style and his self-proclaimed freedom with the English language. Time predicted at the end of his career that the ease and charm of many of his stories will continue to inspire young writers. It is a legacy beyond criticism. Despite Saroyan s lifelong struggle with alcoholism, marital problems, and finances, he never lost his belief in a life Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. Continually refreshing, forever remembered for the bravura of his words, William Saroyan holds his place among the greats with the greatest of ease.

601 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saroyan is underrated.