Not only since "This Boy's Life" which I both saw as a movie and read as a book I have felt a great sympathie and a kind of identification in terms of love for literature with Tobias Wolff. For me, Wolff is one those wonderful scholars of life, a non-academic and unpretentious literary figure who actually has a lot to say and does so with a refreshing honesty and irony which is hard to find in other comtemporary writers. I devoured "Old School" in one day with great relish.
I just finished reading, “This Boy’s Life.” I must say it’s amusing, a page turner and left me hoping he would grow a heart and that life would ultimately be kind to him. I think it’s sad when people can’t express their thoughts. I had that same problem because of my parents abuse. For instance, I was left in my crib for the first 3 years of my life and one of the first things I remember is my dad telling my mom how stupid I was because I didn’t know my name. Besides not being able to express feelings, another handicap was letting people take advantage of me because my parents didn’t care about me so I didn’t care about myself. Anyways I’m so happy that Toby didn’t end up in jail. Life is hard and harder for those of us with bad parenting. It’s too bad that Toby didn’t get to finish Hill, but I guess he had a lot of chances and probably enjoyed pushing his pranks just as far as he could to the breaking point. Obviously he learned how to write a book with honesty, grace and just as well as anyone on this earth. God bless him ❤
I am so glad i found this. As a person who went through a lot of the same things he did he is one of my heroes. Thank you for making this and sharing it. The like button and favouriting is not nearly enough.
Wonderful man. It's so curious that he was into the Lad and Lassie books too. I feel much better knowing that. I also moved on to Jack London and had a wonderful local librarian who kept me busy with book suggestions. Wish all this alikeness would mean I could be a great writer too. I'll keep trying. Tobias Wolff is an inspiration.
Thanks for watching...And the grammatical peccadillo..Yes I wanted to keep him human (because he's strikingly human and humble when you meet him). We all split our infinitives, use the passive voice, use too many adverbs, and use prepositions to end sentences with (haha) so I allowed it into the film. He was an inspiring interviewee. I wish I had a month to talk to him, alas only a morning and an afternoon on a Sunday....thanks again. @LawrenceBridges
Grammatical peccadillos? There weren't any (not that it would matter if there were!). Wolff's spoken discourse could just about be printed as he speaks it. Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with splitting infinitives, using the passive voice, or ending phrases with prepositions! Henry James (for example) strands prepositions all the time; the passive voice is an integral part of English grammar; and nobody cared about split infinitives until some tiresome 19th-century pedants introduced a pseudo-rule against it.
I hope these portraits will hang on the the wall of time as long as we continue to talk about Tobias Wolff, Ray Bradbury, Cynthia Ozick and the other authors I had the honor to interview.
Thank you Mr. Bridges. A very well done piece with one of my favorite writers. I love that he used the word 'ironical'. A great wordsmith with a great mind...but still just a human. Loved it! :)
I read this short story called "Bullet in the Brain" which he wrote and was my favorite story from him. Writing an essay right now about it and needed to met the writer. I'm so shocked at how many of his books and stories I know that was written by him. Thank you for this
i don't get the 1 dislike, that someone actually spent the time and energy to click the thumbs down. but for what? i only recently discovered wolff, old school recently and am grateful for it. i treasure it for it's depth, insight, "wow" writing, and so on. this interview gave me a better idea as to where all of that greatness came from.
A very well crafted and edited interview. Oh how I would love to have a dinner party with Tobias Wolff, Jim Harrison and Cormac McCarthy as the guests.
@Wimonni my pleasure. It was a rewarding experience in every way making this film. You might also like the other 5 films I made for the NEA on Ray Bradbury, Amy Tan, Ernest Gaines, Rudolfo Anaya, and Cynthia Ozick. Search NEA Big Read films Bradbury, (Tan, Gaines etc) Thanks
Holy smokes! He looks just like the actor Harve Presnell. Just watch the movie “Fargo.” It’s like how Will Farrell looks like the drummer in the Red Hot Chili Peppers but better. Also cursive is worthless. I refused to learn it in third and fourth grade.
A very well crafted and edited interview. Oh how I would love to have a dinner party with Tobias Wolff, Jim Harrison and Cormac McCarthy as the guests.
He as my high school English teacher in 1975. He was all business with a great sense of humor at the same time.
Nice to see how well he looks.
He also taught a friend on mine in HS around that time. His name is Chuck Pardini.
I love his memoirs and all of his short stories. His fictions are real and honest. I love him so much.
Not only since "This Boy's Life" which I both saw as a movie and read as a book I have felt a great sympathie and a kind of identification in terms of love for literature with Tobias Wolff. For me, Wolff is one those wonderful scholars of life, a non-academic and unpretentious literary figure who actually has a lot to say and does so with a refreshing honesty and irony which is hard to find in other comtemporary writers. I devoured "Old School" in one day with great relish.
instablaster
Terrific piece. What a window into the mind of a truly inspirational writer and man.
Roy
I just finished reading, “This Boy’s Life.” I must say it’s amusing, a page turner and left me hoping he would grow a heart and that life would ultimately be kind to him. I think it’s sad when people can’t express their thoughts. I had that same problem because of my parents abuse. For instance, I was left in my crib for the first 3 years of my life and one of the first things I remember is my dad telling my mom how stupid I was because I didn’t know my name. Besides not being able to express feelings, another handicap was letting people take advantage of me because my parents didn’t care about me so I didn’t care about myself. Anyways I’m so happy that Toby didn’t end up in jail. Life is hard and harder for those of us with bad parenting. It’s too bad that Toby didn’t get to finish Hill, but I guess he had a lot of chances and probably enjoyed pushing his pranks just as far as he could to the breaking point. Obviously he learned how to write a book with honesty, grace and just as well as anyone on this earth. God bless him ❤
He is very articulate.
Thank you for this wonderful film.
They need to cut out the music when Tobias is talking.
I am so glad i found this. As a person who went through a lot of the same things he did he is one of my heroes. Thank you for making this and sharing it. The like button and favouriting is not nearly enough.
Wonderful man. It's so curious that he was into the Lad and Lassie books too. I feel much better knowing that. I also moved on to Jack London and had a wonderful local librarian who kept me busy with book suggestions. Wish all this alikeness would mean I could be a great writer too. I'll keep trying. Tobias Wolff is an inspiration.
Great video. I like how he describes things. He talks like he's reading from a book.
Thanks for watching...And the grammatical peccadillo..Yes I wanted to keep him human (because he's strikingly human and humble when you meet him). We all split our infinitives, use the passive voice, use too many adverbs, and use prepositions to end sentences with (haha) so I allowed it into the film. He was an inspiring interviewee. I wish I had a month to talk to him, alas only a morning and an afternoon on a Sunday....thanks again. @LawrenceBridges
Grammatical peccadillos? There weren't any (not that it would matter if there were!). Wolff's spoken discourse could just about be printed as he speaks it. Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with splitting infinitives, using the passive voice, or ending phrases with prepositions! Henry James (for example) strands prepositions all the time; the passive voice is an integral part of English grammar; and nobody cared about split infinitives until some tiresome 19th-century pedants introduced a pseudo-rule against it.
Just discovered this writer--devoured his memoir in less than a day and need more!
wha a great guy, really impressive, found him after watching This Boys Life
Great piece of film on one of our great contemporary writers. Well done.
I hope these portraits will hang on the the wall of time as long as we continue to talk about Tobias Wolff, Ray Bradbury, Cynthia Ozick and the other authors I had the honor to interview.
beautiful talk. I love his stories.
Thank you Mr. Bridges. A very well done piece with one of my favorite writers. I love that he used the word 'ironical'. A great wordsmith with a great mind...but still just a human. Loved it! :)
I read this short story called "Bullet in the Brain" which he wrote and was my favorite story from him. Writing an essay right now about it and needed to met the writer. I'm so shocked at how many of his books and stories I know that was written by him. Thank you for this
Beautiful.
i just love him.
i don't get the 1 dislike, that someone actually spent the time and energy to click the thumbs down. but for what? i only recently discovered wolff, old school recently and am grateful for it. i treasure it for it's depth, insight, "wow" writing, and so on. this interview gave me a better idea as to where all of that greatness came from.
Most excellent.
A very well crafted and edited interview. Oh how I would love to have a dinner party with Tobias Wolff, Jim Harrison and Cormac McCarthy as the guests.
Thank you.
@Wimonni my pleasure. It was a rewarding experience in every way making this film. You might also like the other 5 films I made for the NEA on Ray Bradbury, Amy Tan, Ernest Gaines, Rudolfo Anaya, and Cynthia Ozick. Search NEA Big Read films Bradbury, (Tan, Gaines etc) Thanks
Thanks for this.
yes
I saw first saw this boys life in watergate
Wow, still laughing at the end, the school of hard knocks,he is also from the Romantic school of thinking.Thanks.
I was troublesome in the christian brothers school
i watch this from time to time as I bide my own, needing to move off my mark
In his office at Stanford University.
I know a thing or two about a thing or two .. jack.
Gotta love the OLE DRY GULTCH
You'll remember me and concrete.
Look tobias i was troublesome in school i admitted that
Tobias is a hot shot
WELL YOU SAY .,.
Hunters in the snow !!!!
lawl
.... so I dry-gulched 'em!"
The music is a distraction.
Your a real hot shot
My late godfather thought me how to write i was giving the nuns trouble in the convent school
My godfather thought me how to write god rest him that time i was giving the nuns and teachers trouble in school
Concrete make man of you hotshot
Holy smokes! He looks just like the actor Harve Presnell. Just watch the movie “Fargo.” It’s like how Will Farrell looks like the drummer in the Red Hot Chili Peppers but better. Also cursive is worthless. I refused to learn it in third and fourth grade.
your lieing
A very well crafted and edited interview. Oh how I would love to have a dinner party with Tobias Wolff, Jim Harrison and Cormac McCarthy as the guests.
yes
yes