Jim Harrison is a modern American writer, author of cult novels based on which films were made in Hollywood. In Russia, not many readers know about the writer and his work, so the purpose of this article is to cover the work of the writer and his main books.
Biography
The life of writer Jim Harrison was not eventful.
He was born in Michigan. Since childhood, one eye has not seen him, which, of course, caused inconvenience.
Father was an agronomist. Parents could not live without books and read a lot. When Harrison turned 21, his sister and father died tragically, and the car they were driving in was in a serious accident.
The future writer studied at the University of Michigan, where he received a bachelor's degree, and then a master's degree in literary criticism (comparative literature). After graduation, he taught English in New York, and then was engaged exclusively in writing.
Even before receiving a master's degree, the writer married, his wife was called Linda King. They lived together for 50 years (the wife died in 2015). In marriage, they had two daughters. The writer died a year after the death of his wife. In 2016, Harrison died.
Writer books
Jim Harrison is known far beyond the United States. Some of his books have been translated into 22 languages โโof the world. He wrote 30 books, the most popular of which are:
- "Wolf. False memories ";
- "The beast that God forgot to come up with";
- "Legends of the fall."
Harrison began his career in literature in 1965, when he published a collection of his poems, "A Simple Song." In 1971, the writerโs first novel, The Wolf. False memories. " The book tells the story of a descendant of emigrants from Sweden, who goes to the wild forest to see the last in the state of the wolf. The main character was disappointed in life, did not give him pleasure: neither women, nor chatting with friends, nor drinking. He understands the absurdity of life, seeks a way out to return to life. The novel compares with a werewolf. In Hollywood, a film was shot from a book where famous American actors played the main roles.
โThe Beast that God Forgot to Come Up withโ is a collection of three short stories, which describes the actions and impressions of different people in different situations.
The heroes of the books of Jim Harrison, regardless of the circumstances in which they fall, always seek the truth and are subjected to the temptations of human passions.
Colonel Ludlow Family
In 1979, the main and most recognizable novel of the writer appeared in the press - Legends of Autumn. The action takes place in America, Montana. Colonel Ludlow settled in a secluded estate, far from the city. The wife did not want to follow his example and left her husband with three sons, and she herself went to live in Europe.
Together with the colonel, the Indian servants live: One Impact and the Decker family.
Children from early childhood were together and very attached to each other. The youngest son, Samuel, having completed his studies, arrives home with a bride named Susanne. The eldest son of Colonel Alfred and Samuel want to sign up as volunteers and participate in the First World War on the side of England. Father dissuades them, but they do not want to listen to his reasonable arguments. The middle son Tristan goes with his brothers, he is not interested in the war, he wants to control and protect his younger brother Samuel.
They are recorded by volunteers in Calgary and sent to war. Alfred is shot in the leg, and Samuel is killed. Tristan avenges his younger brother, when he kills the Germans, he tears scalps from corpses. Tristan takes a heart out of Samuelโs chest with a knife and takes him home, where he buries.
The tragedy of the Ludlow family
With the death of Samuel, all household members change. Life is getting different. Tristan can not accept the death of his brother and travels the world, going through many dangerous adventures. Alfred, in love with Suzanne, proposes to her, but she refuses him. Suzanne secretly in love with Tristan. When he returns after wandering, Susannah opens her heart to him, and they live together. Frustrated and offended, Alfred leaves for the city, where, having made money from cattle breeding, he becomes a congressman.
Tristan floats off again, he cannot find peace. Suzanne awaits his return with devotion. One day he sends a letter informing Suzanne that they need to leave, and advises her to find a husband. Suzanne takes the news from Tristan tragically, and Colonel Ludlow this news leads to paralysis.
Suzanne marries Alfred.
Tristan returns home, marries one of Decker's daughters - Isabella. Prohibition begins, Tristan trades in the illegal sale of alcohol. He begins a feud with the brothers O า Banyon, who are partners with his older brother. In one shootout, a police officer, at the request of gangsters, kills Isabella. Tristan is furious, beating up a policeman, and they put him in jail.
Suzanne cannot forget Tristan. She comes to him and says that she loves only him. Tristan sends her to Alfred and says that he does not need her. Suzanne commits suicide, Tristan's refusal really wounded her heart.
When Tristan is released, he kills those responsible for the death of his wife, among whom is one of the brothers O Banyon. Tristan is hiding in his father's house. When gangsters come to the colonel and ask for the murderer to be extradited, Ludlow refuses them. The shootout begins, to which Alfred also connects. Gangsters die from the bullets of the father and his sons. Tristan leaves his father's house and goes into the forest.
The last pages of the book say that Tristan lived a long life, and died in a battle with a huge grizzly.
Screen adaptation of the book
In 1994, Edward Zwick made the film Legends of Autumn. The film miraculously conveyed the world and mood of the book. The film won the 1995 Academy Award for Best Cinematography. The amazing cast and script of Jim Harrison has made many people around the world empathize, sympathize and admire. The film adaptation was attended by famous Hollywood actors: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Julia Ormond and Aidan Quinn.