Franklin Library William Saroyan books:
Sons Come and Go, Mothers Hang in Forever - Limited First Edition Society - 1976
William Saroyan (1908-1981) was an American author, and playwright who was born in Fresno California. Following his father's death when he was only three years old he and his siblings were placed in an orphanage for five years. Although they were later reunited with their mother, this experience had a lasting effect on William Saroyan and his writing. Early in his writing career, he wrote short stories that were published in magazines. Most Notable is Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, which appeared in Story Magazine. Following service in World War Two, he lived in Paris, and struggled with alcohol, gambling, and financial trouble for many years. Over his life time William Saroyan wrote many novels, and screen plays. He was offered, but refused to accept a Pulitzer Prize for his play The Time of Your Life in 1940. Many critics have described his books as having a childlike curious quality.