Vance Bourjaily

Franklin Library Vance Bourjaily books

A Game Men play - limited first edition ( not signed ) - 1980
The Great Fake Book - signed first edition - 1986

Vance Bourjaily biography

Vance Bourjaily, born on September 17, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio, was an American novelist and professor whose literary career spanned several decades. His life and work were characterized by a commitment to exploring the complexities of human relationships and societal issues, often set against the backdrop of historical events. Bourjaily served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, an experience that significantly influenced his worldview and later found echoes in his writing. After the war, he pursued his education, earning a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College in 1947 and a master's degree from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop in 1948.

His early novels, including The End of My Life (1947) and The Hound of Earth (1955), received critical acclaim for their exploration of existential themes and the psychological impact of war. Bourjaily's ability to delve into the human psyche and depict characters grappling with moral dilemmas set him apart in the literary landscape. One of Bourjaily's most well-known works is Confessions of a Spent Youth (1971), a semi-autobiographical novel that garnered attention for its candid exploration of the author's experiences during World War II and his struggles with identity and purpose.

In addition to his career as a novelist, Vance Bourjaily was involved in academia. He taught creative writing at various institutions, including the University of Arizona and the University of Iowa. His contributions to the literary community extended beyond his own writing, as he mentored aspiring writers and contributed to the development of the next generation of literary voices. Bourjaily's writing evolved over the years, and his later works, such as The Great Fake Book (1991) and Old Soldier (2003), continued to explore themes of identity, morality, and the impact of personal choices on the human experience.

Vance Bourjaily passed away on August 31, 2010, in Kingston, New York, leaving behind a body of work that reflected his intellectual curiosity, insight into the human condition, and a commitment to the craft of storytelling. His novels remain an important part of American literature, offering readers a window into the complexities of post-war America and the personal struggles that define the human journey.

The Great Fake Book

Completely ignorant about his father after years of his mother's silence on the subject, Charlie Mizzourin is convinced by a chance encounter to find out more about his father.

In his search for the father he never knew, Charlie Mizzourin stumbles onto a number of sources, one of whom knows about the father's diary long hidden in a fake book.