William Saroyan ‘Talking and trying to read from some of his novels, plays and stories’
"An American of Armenian descent, born in Fresno, California in 1908, William Saroyan is one of the most vivid personalities in the contemporary literary world. His first book of short stories, 'The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze' (1934), struck an original, lively and attractively egoistic note; and his first play, 'The Time of Your Life', produced by the Theater Guild in 1939, is now one of the recognized classics of our stage. This latter work was awarded the Pulitzer prize, but this honor was rejected by Saroyan - one of the few authors ever to refuse an award. Saroyan served with the U.S. Army during the Second World War, and he has written several novels on war themes [including] 'The Human Comedy'. ... Among his many other books are 'Inhale and Exhale', 'The Trouble with Tigers', 'My Name is Aram', and 'The Bicycle Rider in Beverly Hills'." Distinguished Authors Reading From Their Works, Columbia Literary Series, Edited by Goddard Lieberson. These William Saroyan recordings are from 1953 and include JIM DANDY, Fat Man In A Famine (Excerpts), ROCK WAGRAM (Excerpt), THE PARABLE OF THE LOVELINESS OF FAITH IN GOD AND HOW IT SAVED THE LIFE OF AT LEAST ONE GOOD MAN (From 'Saroyan's Fables'), DON'T GO AWAY MAD (Excerpt), and COMMON PRAYER. #