The Feuds, Frolics, and Follies of Literature Greats: Adventurers, Drunkards, and Lo Vers

From the depths of their imaginations to the pages of their masterpieces, literature greats have long captivated us with their words. We've delved into stories of epic adventures, been moved by tales of tragic love, and encountered characters that still live on in our hearts. Yet, beyond the enchanting worlds they created, these literary geniuses had lives filled with feuds, frolics, and follies that often rivaled the drama in their writings. Join us on a journey through the turbulent lives of these great adventurers, drunkards, and lo vers.

The Great Adventurers

Many literary figures found inspiration in exploration and embarked on adventures that rival those of their own creations. One such adventurer was Ernest Hemingway, whose experiences in war and travel shaped his writing style and earned him a reputation as a thrill-seeker. From bullfighting in Spain to hunting big game in Africa, Hemingway's love for adventure paralleled his love for prose.

Similarly, J.R.R. Tolkien drew from his experiences as a soldier in World War I to create the fantastical world of Middle-earth. His wanderlust took him to uncharted territories, and his encounters with different cultures and landscapes played a significant role in shaping the rich tapestry of his literary universe.

Writers Gone Wild: The Feuds, Frolics, and Follies of Literature's Great Adventurers, Drunkards, Lo vers, Iconoclasts, and Misanthropes

by Bill Peschel (Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	651 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	270 pages

FREE

The Drunkards

While some authors sought adrenaline through exploration, others turned to the bottle. Famed American writer Edgar Allan Poe was notorious for his alcohol-fueled escapades. Despite his troubled relationship with alcohol, Poe's dark and melancholic tales continue to haunt readers today, showcasing the intricate connection between his personal demons and his literary creations.

Charles Bukowski is another acclaimed writer whose life was dominated by alcohol. Known for his gritty, realistic portrayal of the lower-class American life, Bukowski's own struggles with alcoholism provided fodder for his unapologetic, visceral writing style. His escapades and relentless pursuit of alcohol were often as chaotic as the characters he created.

The Lo Vers

Love has always been a central theme in literature, and many authors have had tumultuous love lives that mirrored the passion and pain in their works. One such figure is Sylvia Plath, who captivated readers with her raw and honest poetry. Plath's tumultuous marriage to fellow poet Ted Hughes, marked by infidelity and emotional abuse, played a significant role in her troubled mental state and ultimately influenced her poignant and confessional writings.

Another notable figure is Federico García Lorca, whose passionate and daring love affairs fueled his lyrical poems. Lorca's unrequited love for Salvador Dalí and his ambiguous sexuality are intertwined with the emotional depth in his works, making his poetry an intimate reflection of his personal life.

Intriguing Feuds

Feuds between authors have often created headlines, sparking debates among literary enthusiasts. One of the most notorious literary feuds occurred between Truman Capote and Gore Vidal. Their contentious relationship was fueled by jealousy and rivalry, leading to public mudslinging and sharp-witted insults hurled at each other's work. Their ongoing feud not only captivated the literary world but also provided ample material for gossip columns.

William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway, both influential writers of their time, engaged in a heated rivalry that simmered with literary critique and personal attacks. Hemingway's disdain for Faulkner's verbose and complex writing style was met with Faulkner's biting retorts on Hemingway's brevity. This literary clash between two giants gave birth to endless debates about writing styles and aesthetics.

The lives of literature greats are as fascinating as the stories they created. From thrilling adventures to self-destructive habits, from tormented love affairs to bitter feuds, these authors lived lives as enigmatic and engaging as their literary masterpieces. Exploring the feuds, frolics, and follies of these remarkable individuals not only adds depth to our understanding of their works but also reminds us that even the greatest minds are not immune to human frailties and complexities.

Writers Gone Wild: The Feuds, Frolics, and Follies of Literature's Great Adventurers, Drunkards, Lo vers, Iconoclasts, and Misanthropes

by Bill Peschel (Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	651 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	270 pages

FREE

Truth is stranger than fiction.

If you've imagined famous writers to be desk-bound drudges, think again. Writers Gone Wild rips back the (book) covers and reveals the seamy underside of the writing life.

Insightful, intriguing, and irresistibly addictive, Writers Gone Wild reveals such fascinating stories as:

* The night Dashiell Hammett hired a Chinese prostitute to break up S. J. Perelman's marriage (and ran off with his wife).

* Why Sylvia Plath bit Ted Hughes on the cheek.

* Why Ernest Hemingway fought a book critic, a modernist poet, and his war correspondent/wife Martha Gellhorn (but not at the same time).

* The near-fatal trip Katherine Anne Porter took while high on marijuana in Mexico.

* Why women's breasts sent Percy Bysshe Shelley screaming from the room.

* The day Virginia Woolf snuck onto a Royal Navy ship disguised as an Abyssinian prince.

Pull up a chair, turn on good reading light, and discover what your favorite writers were up to while away from their desks. Sometimes, they make the wildest characters of all.