Hiding Man_ A Biography Of Donald Barthelme Part 47

page 399 "function of the advance guard": "function of the advance guard": J. D. O'Hara, "Donald Barthelme: The Art of Fiction LXVI," J. D. O'Hara, "Donald Barthelme: The Art of Fiction LXVI," Paris Review Paris Review 80 (1981): 187. 80 (1981): 187.

page 399 "Vietnam has sp.a.w.ned a jargon": "Vietnam has sp.a.w.ned a jargon": Michael Herr, Michael Herr, Dispatches Dispatches (New York: Avon Books, 1968), 97. (New York: Avon Books, 1968), 97.

page 399 "We tell ourselves stories in order to live": "We tell ourselves stories in order to live": Joan Didion, Joan Didion, The White Alb.u.m The White Alb.u.m (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1979), 11. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1979), 11.

page 399 "Distant Early Warning System": "Distant Early Warning System": Barthelme, Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories, 107.

page 399 "I put the United States on a pedestal": "I put the United States on a pedestal": Anne Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 19, 2004. Anne Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 19, 2004.

page 399 "As soon as she stepped off the plane": "As soon as she stepped off the plane": Donald Barthelme, "My ten-year-old daughter..." in Donald Barthelme, "My ten-year-old daughter..." in Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 151153.

page 400 "New York in the 1970s"; "[E]veryone was in a band": "New York in the 1970s"; "[E]veryone was in a band": Marvin J. Taylor, "Playing the Field: The Downtown Scene and Cultural Production, An Introduction," in Marvin J. Taylor, "Playing the Field: The Downtown Scene and Cultural Production, An Introduction," in The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene 19741984 The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene 19741984, ed. Marvin J. Taylor (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2006), 1920.

page 401 "nicey-nicey-clean-ice-cream-TV society": "nicey-nicey-clean-ice-cream-TV society": Kathy Acker, Kathy Acker, Blood and Guts in High School Blood and Guts in High School (New York: Grove Press, 1984), 94. (New York: Grove Press, 1984), 94.

page 401 "language divided against itself"; "related to the generation that preceded it": "language divided against itself"; "related to the generation that preceded it": Robert Siegle, Robert Siegle, Suburban Ambush: Downtown Writing and the Fiction of Insurgency Suburban Ambush: Downtown Writing and the Fiction of Insurgency (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1989), 4, 393394. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1989), 4, 393394.

page 401 "Barking art"; "Actually, I can't stand artists": "Barking art"; "Actually, I can't stand artists": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Forty Stories Forty Stories (New York: Putnam, 1987), 109, 111. (New York: Putnam, 1987), 109, 111.

page 401 "I would suggest": "I would suggest": "A Symposium on Fiction," in "A Symposium on Fiction," in Not-Knowing Not-Knowing, ed. Herzinger, 65.

page 401 "to get rid of psychologizing the novel": "to get rid of psychologizing the novel": ibid., 64. pages 402403 ibid., 64. pages 402403 "[O]ne should never cease considering human love": "[O]ne should never cease considering human love": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Amateurs Amateurs (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976), 144. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976), 144.

page 403 "[A]dmirable volume after admirable volume": "[A]dmirable volume after admirable volume": This and subsequent quotes from "Our Work and Why We Do It" are from ibid., 39. This and subsequent quotes from "Our Work and Why We Do It" are from ibid., 39.

page 403 "water, gas, and electricity"; "aura"... will "wither": "water, gas, and electricity"; "aura"... will "wither": Walter Benjamin, "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," in Walter Benjamin, "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," in Illuminations Illuminations, ed. Hannah Arendt, trans. Harry Zahn (1968; reprint New York: Schocken Books, 1978), 219, 221.

page 403 "flow of grace to all of G.o.d's creatures": "flow of grace to all of G.o.d's creatures": This and subsequent quotes from "At the End of the Mechanical Age" are from Barthelme, This and subsequent quotes from "At the End of the Mechanical Age" are from Barthelme, Amateurs Amateurs, 175184.

page 404 "Works is what counts, boy": "Works is what counts, boy": Barthelme, Barthelme, Amateurs Amateurs, 74.

page 404 "it will pall, of course": "it will pall, of course": ibid., 176. ibid., 176.

page 404 "The public wants rea.s.surance": "The public wants rea.s.surance": Linda Kuehl, "Amateurs," Linda Kuehl, "Amateurs," The Sat.u.r.day Review The Sat.u.r.day Review, December 11, 1976, 6869.

page 404 "mannerism, self-duplicating": "mannerism, self-duplicating": Richard Locke, "Amateurs," Richard Locke, "Amateurs," New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review, December 19, 1976, 16.

page 405 "The great task" "The great task" to to "I don't know where she gets such language": "I don't know where she gets such language": Barthelme, "My ten-year-old daughter..." in Barthelme, "My ten-year-old daughter..." in Not-Knowing Not-Knowing, ed. Herzinger, 153.

46. Uncle Don page 406 "In the mid-1970s I was living in a house in Connecticut": "In the mid-1970s I was living in a house in Connecticut": This and subsequent Ann Beattie quotes are from a letter to the author, July 23, 2004. This and subsequent Ann Beattie quotes are from a letter to the author, July 23, 2004.

page 408 "Even after I had left the CCNY program": "Even after I had left the CCNY program": This and subsequent Oscar Hijuelos quotes, except those noted below, are from an E-mail to the author, March 24, 2005. This and subsequent Oscar Hijuelos quotes, except those noted below, are from an E-mail to the author, March 24, 2005.

page 408 "circled misspellings and stupidities": "circled misspellings and stupidities": Oscar Hijuelos, "Beautiful," Oscar Hijuelos, "Beautiful," Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, 4, no. 1 (1999): 133135. 4, no. 1 (1999): 133135.

page 409 "My worries about a possible affiliation are two": "My worries about a possible affiliation are two": Donald Barthelme, letter to Bernard Rosenthal, December 17, 1977, letter in possession of the author. Donald Barthelme, letter to Bernard Rosenthal, December 17, 1977, letter in possession of the author.

page 409 the "part of [Don] that was from Houston": the "part of [Don] that was from Houston": This and subsequent Ted Solotaroff quotes are from Ted Solotaroff, "Don Barthelme," in This and subsequent Ted Solotaroff quotes are from Ted Solotaroff, "Don Barthelme," in Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, volume 4, no. 1 (1991): 169171. volume 4, no. 1 (1991): 169171.

page 409 "a foppy sort of a guy": "a foppy sort of a guy": This and subsequent Kirkpatrick Sale quotes are from an E-mail to the author, May 16, 2004. This and subsequent Kirkpatrick Sale quotes are from an E-mail to the author, May 16, 2004.

page 409 "asked me to send a telegram": "asked me to send a telegram": Renata Adler, Renata Adler, Gone: The Last Days of The New Yorker Gone: The Last Days of The New Yorker (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999), 80. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999), 80.

pages 410411 "dismal roster" "dismal roster" to to "considerable miscarriage of justice": "considerable miscarriage of justice": Donald Barthelme, "As Grace Paley Faces Jail with Three Other Writers," in Donald Barthelme, "As Grace Paley Faces Jail with Three Other Writers," in Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 154155 (originally published on the ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 154155 (originally published on the New York Times New York Times op-ed page, February 2, 1979). op-ed page, February 2, 1979).

page 411 Kerouac's "descriptions of men or places": Kerouac's "descriptions of men or places": Unsigned review of Unsigned review of Visions of Cody, The New Yorker, Visions of Cody, The New Yorker, February 17, 1973, 110. February 17, 1973, 110.

page 411 "The three buildings across the street": "The three buildings across the street": This and subsequent quotes from "You Are as Brave as Vincent Van Gogh" are from Donald Barthelme, This and subsequent quotes from "You Are as Brave as Vincent Van Gogh" are from Donald Barthelme, Amateurs Amateurs (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976), 167171. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976), 167171.

page 412 "sees everything as possibility": "sees everything as possibility": Birgit Barthelme, "A View of Julien Sorel, the Protagonist of 'The Red and the Black,' with Reference to Sren Kierkegaard's 'The Concept of Irony,' " Birgit Barthelme, "A View of Julien Sorel, the Protagonist of 'The Red and the Black,' with Reference to Sren Kierkegaard's 'The Concept of Irony,' " Kierkegaardiana Kierkegaardiana 10 (1977): 249. 10 (1977): 249.

page 412 "I lived over near Sixth": "I lived over near Sixth": David Markson, in a conversation with the author, July 22, 2004. David Markson, in a conversation with the author, July 22, 2004.

page 412 "recite one another's poems": "recite one another's poems": Eileen Simpson, Eileen Simpson, Poets in Their Youth Poets in Their Youth (New York: Random House, 1982), 256. (New York: Random House, 1982), 256.

47. The End of an Age page 413 "was a hard decision" "was a hard decision" to to "you told me that this is the direction": "you told me that this is the direction": Roger Angell, letter to Donald Barthelme, August 8, 1977, Ma.n.u.scripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library. Roger Angell, letter to Donald Barthelme, August 8, 1977, Ma.n.u.scripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.

page 413 "such disdain for life": "such disdain for life": Josephine Hendlin, "Angries: S-M as a Literary Style," Josephine Hendlin, "Angries: S-M as a Literary Style," Harper's, Harper's, February 1974, 89. February 1974, 89.

page 413 "writes only about the writing he is writing": "writes only about the writing he is writing": Gore Vidal, Gore Vidal, Matters of Fact and Fiction Matters of Fact and Fiction (New York: Vintage Books, 1977), 102, 104. (New York: Vintage Books, 1977), 102, 104.

page 414 "John took all his contemporaries into a garage": The Writer in Society: Donald Barthelme "John took all his contemporaries into a garage": The Writer in Society: Donald Barthelme (Houston: KUHT-TV, 1984). (Houston: KUHT-TV, 1984).

page 414 "enfeebled": "enfeebled": John Gardner, John Gardner, On Moral Fiction On Moral Fiction (New York: Basic Books, 1978), 80. (New York: Basic Books, 1978), 80.

page 414 "[idealistic] party was pretty much over": "[idealistic] party was pretty much over": Willie Morris, Willie Morris, New York Days New York Days (Boston: Little, Brown, 1993), 347. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1993), 347.

pages 414415 "[E]verything in New York City is getting shabbier" "[E]verything in New York City is getting shabbier" to to "something... "something... beyond beyond": Donald Barthelme and J. D. O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1" of the Donald Barthelme and J. D. O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1" of the Paris Review Paris Review interview, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. interview, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 415 "live and work in other cities": "live and work in other cities": Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, January 31, 2006. Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, January 31, 2006.

page 415 "an incredibly dangerous and delicate business": "an incredibly dangerous and delicate business": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories (New York: Putnam, 1981), 281. (New York: Putnam, 1981), 281.

page 415 "incredibly beautiful and good women": "incredibly beautiful and good women": Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1," Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1," Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 415 "Show me a man who has not married a hundred times": "Show me a man who has not married a hundred times": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Forty Stories Forty Stories (New York: Putnam, 1987), 220. (New York: Putnam, 1987), 220.

page 415 "Although reluctant to marry again": "Although reluctant to marry again": This and subsequent Helen Barthelme quotes are from Helen Moore Barthelme, This and subsequent Helen Barthelme quotes are from Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 176177. (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 176177.

page 416 "Since you and I have been married": "Since you and I have been married": Herman Gollob, in a conversation with the author, April 19, 2007. Herman Gollob, in a conversation with the author, April 19, 2007.

page 416 "their darling daughter": "their darling daughter": Harrison Starr, in a conversation with the author, December 29, 2006. Harrison Starr, in a conversation with the author, December 29, 2006.

page 416 "one of [Marion's] relatives": "one of [Marion's] relatives": Sandra Starr, in a conversation with the author, December 29, 2006. Sandra Starr, in a conversation with the author, December 29, 2006.

page 416 "Some part of 'Overnight to Many Distant Cities' ": "Some part of 'Overnight to Many Distant Cities' ": Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, January 31, 2006. Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, January 31, 2006.

page 416 "In Barcelona the lights went out": Barthelme, "In Barcelona the lights went out": Barthelme, Forty Stories, Forty Stories, 220. 220.

page 416 "Don got back in contact with me": "Don got back in contact with me": This and subsequent Marilyn Gillet quotes are from a conversation with the author, November 17, 2004. This and subsequent Marilyn Gillet quotes are from a conversation with the author, November 17, 2004.

page 416 " "If it's any consolation": Maggie Curran, in a letter to Donald Barthelme, March 6, 1970. Maggie Curran, in a letter to Donald Barthelme, March 6, 1970.

page 417 "Today we make the leap to faith"; "the worst torture": "Today we make the leap to faith"; "the worst torture": Barthelme, Barthelme, Sixty Stories Sixty Stories, 379, 385.

page 417 "Even though Elaine de Kooning had quit drinking" "Even though Elaine de Kooning had quit drinking" to to "very special": "very special": Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 6, 2008. Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 6, 2008.

page 417 "I will think about him for the rest of my life": "I will think about him for the rest of my life": Donald Barthelme, "Eulogy for Thomas Hess," Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, "Eulogy for Thomas Hess," Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 417 "I think people were always happy to see Henry": "I think people were always happy to see Henry": This and subsequent quotes from Robbins's memorial service are from Donald Barthelme, "Eulogy for Henry Robbins," Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. This and subsequent quotes from Robbins's memorial service are from Donald Barthelme, "Eulogy for Henry Robbins," Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 418 "I've been to more than my share [of funerals]": "I've been to more than my share [of funerals]": Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft" #1. Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft" #1.

page 419 They're Beckett-y: They're Beckett-y: J. D. O'Hara, "Donald Barthelme: The Art of Fiction LXVI," J. D. O'Hara, "Donald Barthelme: The Art of Fiction LXVI," Paris Review Paris Review 80 (1981): 197. 80 (1981): 197.

page 419 " " very avuncular and welcoming": very avuncular and welcoming": Marion Knox Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 6, 2008. Marion Knox Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 6, 2008.

page 419 "There is some sense in which John Ashbery is central": "There is some sense in which John Ashbery is central": Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1." Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1."

page 419 "double-mindedness": "double-mindedness": Sren Kierkegaard, Sren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing, trans. Douglas V. Steere (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1948), 87. trans. Douglas V. Steere (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1948), 87.

page 419 "Featherings of ease and bliss": "Featherings of ease and bliss": Donald Barthelme, Donald Barthelme, Great Days Great Days (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1979), 157. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1979), 157.

page 420 "Literary history shows that the avant-garde of one period": "Literary history shows that the avant-garde of one period": Diane Johnson, "Possibly Parables," Diane Johnson, "Possibly Parables," New York Times Book Review, New York Times Book Review, February 4, 1979, 1. February 4, 1979, 1.

page 420 "stories are brief": "stories are brief": Denis Donaghue, "For Brevity's Sake," Denis Donaghue, "For Brevity's Sake," The Sat.u.r.day Review, The Sat.u.r.day Review, March 3, 1979, 50. March 3, 1979, 50.

page 420 "muted...melancholy": "muted...melancholy": James Rawley, "The New Music," James Rawley, "The New Music," The Nation, The Nation, April 7, 1979, 374. April 7, 1979, 374.

page 420 "one of our best and most adventurous writers": "one of our best and most adventurous writers": Peter S. Prescott, "Sound of Music," Peter S. Prescott, "Sound of Music," Newsweek, Newsweek, February 5, 1979, 78. February 5, 1979, 78.

page 421 "I'll probably hole up in the Gramercy Park Hotel"; "acc.u.mulated all these things": "I'll probably hole up in the Gramercy Park Hotel"; "acc.u.mulated all these things": Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1." Barthelme and O'Hara, "Rough Draft #1."

page 421 "I can see that the story is elegant and strongly flavored": "I can see that the story is elegant and strongly flavored": Roger Angell, letter to Donald Barthelme, April 11, 1979, Ma.n.u.scripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library. Roger Angell, letter to Donald Barthelme, April 11, 1979, Ma.n.u.scripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.

page 421 "It's possible that the idea of man-asvictim-of-society": "It's possible that the idea of man-asvictim-of-society": Donald Barthelme, "The Earth as An Overturned Bowl," in Donald Barthelme, "The Earth as An Overturned Bowl," in Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, Not-Knowing: The Essays and Interviews, ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 106. ed. Kim Herzinger (New York: Random House, 1997), 106.

page 421 "[S]train as we may": "[S]train as we may": Donald Barthelme, "Dead Men Comin' Through," in Donald Barthelme, "Dead Men Comin' Through," in Not-Knowing, Not-Knowing, ed. Herzinger, 119. ed. Herzinger, 119.

page 422 "as solid as a tool-pusher on a Texas oil rig": "as solid as a tool-pusher on a Texas oil rig": Donald Barthelme," Special Devotions," in Donald Barthelme," Special Devotions," in Not-Knowing, Not-Knowing, ed. Herzinger, 114. ed. Herzinger, 114.

page 422 "less fun than it used to be": "less fun than it used to be": ibid., 113. ibid., 113.

page 422 "detail"; "ugly knowledge"; "what things are called"; "milieu": "detail"; "ugly knowledge"; "what things are called"; "milieu": Barthelme, "Dead Men Comin' Through," 115117. Barthelme, "Dead Men Comin' Through," 115117.

page 422 "There's a strangely pleasant moment": "There's a strangely pleasant moment": Donald Barthelme, "Three Festivals," in Donald Barthelme, "Three Festivals," in Not-Knowing, Not-Knowing, ed. Herzinger, 124. ed. Herzinger, 124.

page 423 "The government isn't very good": "The government isn't very good": This and Barthelme's subsequent observations about New York are from Donald Barthelme, "Spring in the Village!" in This and Barthelme's subsequent observations about New York are from Donald Barthelme, "Spring in the Village!" in Not-Knowing, Not-Knowing, ed. Herzinger, 5052. ed. Herzinger, 5052.

page 423 "In the '70s the sheer glut of consumable culture" "In the '70s the sheer glut of consumable culture" to to "question of the relationship of art": "question of the relationship of art": Jack Kroll, "Culture Goes Pop," Jack Kroll, "Culture Goes Pop," Newsweek, Newsweek, November 19, 1979, 112. November 19, 1979, 112.

page 423 "The city arouses us": "The city arouses us": Alfred Kazin quoted in Morris, Alfred Kazin quoted in Morris, New York Days, New York Days, 353. 353.

page 423 "Will you always remember me?": "Will you always remember me?": Barthelme, Barthelme, Great Days, Great Days, 172. According to Marion Barthelme, "The knock knock joke is something that Roger Angell's son, John Henry, brought home." Perhaps for this reason, she reads the end of 172. According to Marion Barthelme, "The knock knock joke is something that Roger Angell's son, John Henry, brought home." Perhaps for this reason, she reads the end of Great Days Great Days as more upbeat than I have presented it here. as more upbeat than I have presented it here.

page 424 "Say you're not frightened": "Say you're not frightened": ibid., 129. ibid., 129.

48. Miss Pennybacker's Castle Except for those pa.s.sages noted below, the information and all quotes in this chapter come from two detailed and invaluable sources: Suzanne Shumway, "Creative Writing Program: A Haven for Future Literati," in Collegium Online Collegium Online (University of Houston), Winter 1987; and Tim Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father," (University of Houston), Winter 1987; and Tim Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father," Houston Press, Houston Press, February 8, 1990. February 8, 1990.

page 427 "[People] are tying yellow ribbons"; "You are ardently wanted": "[People] are tying yellow ribbons"; "You are ardently wanted": Cynthia Macdonald, letter to Donald Barthelme, undated (1980), Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Cynthia Macdonald, letter to Donald Barthelme, undated (1980), Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 427 "a kind of no-man's land"; "Poetry should only be attempted": "a kind of no-man's land"; "Poetry should only be attempted": Cynthia Macdonald, "Tributaries: Collage for Donald," Cynthia Macdonald, "Tributaries: Collage for Donald," Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, vol. 4, no. 1 (1991): 145150. vol. 4, no. 1 (1991): 145150.

page 429 "death of friends": "death of friends": This and subsequent Kirk Sale quotes are from an E-mail to the author, May 16, 2004. This and subsequent Kirk Sale quotes are from an E-mail to the author, May 16, 2004.

page 430 "didn't "didn't want want to go to Texas": to go to Texas": Jerome Charyn, in a conversation with the author, June 14, 2004. Jerome Charyn, in a conversation with the author, June 14, 2004.

page 430 Marion had gotten profit sharing: Marion had gotten profit sharing: Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 6, 2008. Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, June 6, 2008.

page 430 "The biggest mistake you can make": "The biggest mistake you can make": Donald Barthelme, Sr., letter to Donald Barthelme, April 2, 1982, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, Sr., letter to Donald Barthelme, April 2, 1982, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

page 430 "I felt that he needed to be in Houston"; "Her visit and subsequent death": "I felt that he needed to be in Houston"; "Her visit and subsequent death": Helen Moore Barthelme, Helen Moore Barthelme, Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound Donald Barthelme: The Genesis of a Cool Sound (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 179. (College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2001), 179.

page 430 "I was furious when [City College] let him go": "I was furious when [City College] let him go": Mark Mirsky, in an E-mail to the author, May 17, 2004. Mark Mirsky, in an E-mail to the author, May 17, 2004.

page 430 "going to Texas would be a good thing": "going to Texas would be a good thing": Harrison Starr, in a conversation with the author, December 29, 2006. Harrison Starr, in a conversation with the author, December 29, 2006.

page 430 "People I knew": "People I knew": Roger Angell, in a conversation with the author, December 6, 2006. Roger Angell, in a conversation with the author, December 6, 2006.

page 430 "I thought that moving to Houston would be interesting": "I thought that moving to Houston would be interesting": Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, April 19, 2006. Marion Barthelme, in an E-mail to the author, April 19, 2006.

page 431 "Your mother's check-up": "Your mother's check-up": Donald Barthelme, Sr., letter to Donald Barthelme, April 29, 1981, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries. Donald Barthelme, Sr., letter to Donald Barthelme, April 29, 1981, Special Collections and Archives, University of Houston Libraries.

49. The King page 432 "the city the Depression missed"; "too many dollars chasing too few deals": "the city the Depression missed"; "too many dollars chasing too few deals": Joe R. Feagin, "Irrationality in Real Estate Investment: The Case of Houston," Joe R. Feagin, "Irrationality in Real Estate Investment: The Case of Houston," Monthly Review, Monthly Review, March 1987; posted at March 1987; posted at www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi _m1132/is_v38/ai_4855896.

pages 432433 "I never knew what led the elder Barthelme to sell his house" "I never knew what led the elder Barthelme to sell his house" to to "It is one of those rare Houston places": "It is one of those rare Houston places": Stephen Fox, in an E-mail to the author, June 4, 2006. Stephen Fox, in an E-mail to the author, June 4, 2006.

page 433 "there was a feeling among the literature students"; "high-handed behavior"; The "writing program ventilated the department": "there was a feeling among the literature students"; "high-handed behavior"; The "writing program ventilated the department": Tim Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father": Tim Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father": Houston Houston Press, February 8, 1990. Press, February 8, 1990.

page 433 " "These tight-a.s.s feminists": Overheard by the author. Overheard by the author.

page 434 "What he was teaching us": "What he was teaching us": This and subsequent Blake quotes are from Glenn Blake, "Memorial Service Remarks," in This and subsequent Blake quotes are from Glenn Blake, "Memorial Service Remarks," in Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, 4, no. 1 (1991): 6364. 4, no. 1 (1991): 6364.

page 434 Tom Cobb remembered: Tom Cobb remembered: Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father." Fleck, "Burying the Dead Father."

page 434 Olive Hershey, then writing a novel: Olive Hershey, then writing a novel: ibid. ibid.

page 434 Padgett Powell recalled: Padgett Powell recalled: Padgett Powell, "The Living Father," Padgett Powell, "The Living Father," Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, Gulf Coast: A Journal of Literature and Art, 4, no. 1 (1991): 164165. 4, no. 1 (1991): 164165.