O'Neill: Son and Artist

by Louis Sheaffer

An in-depth account of O'Neill's private life and artistic achievements from 1920 to his death in 1953, based on letters, original sources, and interviews with his contemporaries

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

543 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Jessica López-Barkl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I've finally finished to two-tome biography of America's first tragedian. It was a complicated read. I was equally repulsed by the man and equally fascinated. He was a terrible father but tipped waitresses and bellmen well. I don't know. All I really know is that he was an artist first and nothing second. He was a disciplined writer and was clearly inspirational in his epic understanding of the antithesis in the human spirit. I have been inspired by him and I have always felt him to be keenly American. I recommend this book to the willing (it's a long, sometimes depressing read) and to any who are serious about their pursuit of live theater. There are many life-lessons, and things not to do. We should learn from our forefathers who attempted new works in a burgeoning theater scene. It would help enliven the issues that our live theater scene is feeling now. Budget cuts, time constraints, bad theaters, audience development, discipline, dealing with critics...it's all in here.