[Trilby]

The Thirsty Muse - about Faulkner, Hemingway, O'Neill, and Fitzgerald and their respective alcoholism. O'Neill was the only one to break the addiction but he was still a son of a bitch when sober. He's the father of Oona O'Neill who, at 18 married a 54 year old Charlie Chaplin and had 8 kids by him. She was very beautiful.

The book postulates that the alcohol ruined the talent but the writers thought just the opposite (except O'Neill) that it fueled their talent; let them see the world more clearly.

Fitzgerald was probably the worst when it came to denial. O'Neill had a ONE EVENING blow out with a bud and stayed in bed for two weeks to recover. Lots about the poisoning agents in etoh during Prohibition; some say the government put those poisons in there----thin the heard and all that. Interesting read if you like literary artists and their insanity. Edna St. Vincent Millay is not included here (it's a book about guys) but her and her morphine/etoh habit are mentioned. She died falling down the stairs. They mention Zelda Fitzgerald who died in an asylum ---- there was a fire and hardly anyone got out. The only thing left of hers they found was one single shoe.

Golden lads and girls all must
as Chimney sweepers
Come to dust.