Conversations with Willie Morris (Literary Conversations Series) - Softcover

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9781578062379: Conversations with Willie Morris (Literary Conversations Series)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1578062373 ISBN 13: 9781578062379

Publisher: University Press of Mississippi, 2000

"I've been asked all over America . . . why Mississippi is so distinctive. You know, we have our failings, but we're coming along all right. But as to why Mississippi is so artistic and athletic I always say there is something in the quality of two things: memory . . . and the sour-mash bourbon."

During the three decades since the London Sunday Times trumpeted North Toward Home as "the finest evocation of an American boyhood since Mark Twain," southerner Willie Morris (1934-1999) wrote seventeen other books, including a second well-received volume of autobiography. Throughout his lengthy literary career, which began when he contributed his first sports column to a local newspaper at the age of twelve, he attained national prominence as a journalist, nonfiction writer, novelist, editor, and essayist.

In Conversations with Willie Morris, the first collection of interviews and profiles devoted to this American author, Jack Bales compiles twenty-five fascinating and incisive conversations (some never before published) with a man who for over forty years confronted the turbulent issues of his generation. "I have no alternative to words," Morris occasionally replied when asked about his far-reaching career. And throughout his life he unceasingly spoke out on matters that concerned him, writing at various times with outrage, humor, sadness, and affection -- but always with passion and candor.

The diverse topics covered in this collection reflect the scope of Morris's wide-ranging interests. As he speaks with journalists, public radio and television hosts, social historians, and even a professional comedian, he candidly discusses his own life and literary career, sports, other authors, the 1960s, politics, the Civil War, dogs, the complexities of race relations, and, of course, the South and his beloved Mississippi.

After reviewing the author's Homecomings some ten years ago, a Boston Globe writer concluded, "There's damn fine life left in this man's prose." As is evident by Willie Morris's eighteen books, countless essays, and the insightful profiles and interviews gathered here, there is little doubt that this man's prose will be remembered as fresh, lively, and thought-provoking.

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Book Description:

Interviews with the author of My Dog Skip and North Toward Home

From the Author:

The author, Jack Bales jbales@mwc.edu

First collection of interviews & profiles on Willie Morris

From fiery editor of the University of Texas's "Daily Texan," to crusadi ng journalist at the "Texas Observer," to the youngest editor in chief in the history of "Harper's" magazine, to one of the South's most beloved literary vo ices--such was the career of Mississippi writer Willie Morris (1934-1999).

I first s tarted corresponding with Willie in September 1995 and for four years we exchanged hund reds of letters, numerous phone calls, and several visits. It was during one of my trip s to Mississippi that I first began researching his life and works by poring over his 17 ,000 papers at the University of Mississippi Library. This volume, the first collection of interviews and profiles devoted to this prolific and fascinating author, is the result of much of that work. The 25 literary conversations (some never before published) in "Conversations with Willie Morris" span the years 1967 to 1998 and include w orks by social historian Studs Terkel, talk show host Charlie Rose, and professional com edian Michael Feldman. As Willie speaks with them and the other journalists and writers represented here, he candidly reflects on his own life and literary career, politics, the Civil War, sports, dogs, the complexities of race relations, movie-making, and, of c ourse, the South and Mississippi.

Willie also talks about his memoir "My Dog Sk ip," from which the hit movie was made. He told several interviewers that "this is the only book I've ever written that I enjoyed writing," and I am pleased tha t he was able to see a preliminary screening of the film before his untimely death on Au gust 2, 1999. In fact, I visited him shortly after the filming of the motion picture w as completed, and he proudly showed me several of the movie sites in Canton, Mississippi, including the old-fashioned baseball field, complete with manual scoreboard and vintag e advertising signs. Without question, the best part of this book and all of my Willie Morris research was getting to know him and his lovely wife, JoAnne. Both professionall y and personally he was so encouraging and supportive--he just seemed to always bring out the best in people.

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