This is the only biography of Willie Morris of which I am aware. Larry L. King, a writer himself, writes from the first person perspective of having known and interacted with Willie Morris over a period of years.
I like Willie Morris because here is a small-town Southerner who made good in the literary world---author, well-known in the big literary world, editor of Harpers in the 60's back when magazine publishing was prominent, writer in residence at Ole Miss, lover of sports and animals.
His idea of a good time was to visit the gravesite of Faulkner and talk literature. His idea of a good time was to go to Ole Miss football games. His idea of a good time was to stay up to all hours of the night, and his idea of a good time was to spend time with his animals.
Willie Morris comes across as a man truly larger than life, full of life, a man of shortcomings to be sure, but seemingly beloved by so many.
He was friends with William Styron, David Halberstam, and Gay Talese---you know, people like that, some of my great literary heroes.
I wish I had known Willie. Could have spent time with him. Had fun with him. He must been a hoot.
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