Biographies & Memoirs

A Tragic Honesty: The Life and Work of Richard Yates

A Tragic Honesty: The Life and Work of Richard Yates

Celebrated in his prime, forgotten in his final years, only to be championed anew by our greatest contemporary authors, Richard Yates has always exposed readers to the unsettling hypocrisies of our modern age. In Blake Bailey's masterful and entertaining biography, Yates himself serves as the fascinating lens into mid-century America, a world of would-be artists, depressed housewives, addled businessmen, high living, wistful striving, and self-deception. The story of Richard Yates here stands as a singular reminder of what the writer must sacrifice for his craft, the devil's bargain of artistry for happiness, praise for sanity.

Prologue

Chapter 1. The Caliche Road: 1926–1939

Chapter 2. A Good School: 1939–1944

Chapter 3. The Canal: 1944–1947

Chapter 4. Liars in Love: 1947–1951

Chapter 5. The Getaway: 1951–1953

Chapter 6. A Cry of Prisoners: 1953–1959

Chapter 7. A Glutton for Punishment: 1959–1961

Chapter 8. The World on Fire: 1961–1962

Chapter 9. Uncertain Times: 1962–1964

Chapter 10. A New Yorker Discovers the Middle West: 1964–1966

Chapter 11. A Natural Girl: 1966–1968

Chapter 12. A Special Providence: 1968–1969

Chapter 13. Fun with a Stranger: 1970–1974

Chapter 14. Disturbing the Peace: 1974–1976

Chapter 15. Out with the Old: 1976–1978

Chapter 16. Young Hearts Crying: 1979–1984

Chapter 17. No Pain Whatsoever: 1985–1988

Chapter 18. A Cheer for Realized Men: 1988–1992

Epilogue

Notes

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