Karla Eaton’s Reviews > Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh > Status Update

Tennessee Williams behavior as Frank was dying shows the depth of his selfishness. It really doesn't matter what he writes or says after Frank's death; what matters is the immature selfishness of leaving him to find your own comfort in his last hours. Disgusting.

Williams' relationship with Merlo is the definition of dysfunctional. It is amazing they lasted as long as they did. For someone with tender sensibilities like Tenn had, how could he have not seen the damage their uneven status and his infidelities caused. I think his ego and ironically his insecurities destined him to relationship failure.;

I love the vignette about Brando rejecting his amorous co- star! Funny!! You forget how prolific Williams was. Proud of him for trying to separate the genius from his dysfunction!

I knew Tenn was well received but the money he was making is astounding. Just for Streetcar's film rights he earned half a million when the average joe was making two thousand a year. While there are many things about him that would tire me out, I really love his adoration and devotion to his grandfather whom he took to Key West when the old guy was in his 90s!

Williams' life seems to be proof positive that when your youth is corrupted by poor parenting and lack of love, you spend too much of your adult life trying to right that ship. This book is too lurid for me in many ways but I love the biographical connections to his work. Great writing - never found the word callipygion in one of my readings before, but of course it is here!

This first chapter is wild! 1) who thinks "Coffin" is ever a name for a child, even a second name. 2) Laurette must have been as great an actress as CC was a horrible husband. 3) poor sister!

This is so gorgeously written-engaging from the first. I love the description of Laurette Taylor as a chandelier in a shabby kitchen! I also live my new vocab word: panjandrums!