Jim Garrison, "Legends of the Fall"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Jim Garrison is a contemporary American writer, the author of cult novels that have been made into movies in Hollywood. In Russia, not many readers know about the writer and his work, so the purpose of this article is to highlight the writer's work and his main books.

Biography

The life of the writer Jim Garrison 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 tragically died, the car they were driving had 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 studies (comparative literature). After graduating from university, he taught English in New York, and then engaged exclusively in writing.

Even before receiving a master's degree, the writer married, his wife's name was Linda King. They lived together for 50 years (wife diedin 2015). In marriage, they had two daughters. The writer died a year after the death of his wife. Garrison passed away in 2016.

Writer's books

Jim Garrison is known far beyond the US. Some of his books have been translated into 22 languages of the world. He wrote 30 books, the most popular of which are:

• "Wolf. False memories";
• "The Beast God Forgot to Invent";
• "Legends of Autumn".

Harrison began his career in literature in 1965, when a collection of his poems, A Simple Song, was published. In 1971, the writer's 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 wolf in the state. The protagonist is disappointed in life, nothing gives him pleasure: neither women, nor communication with friends, nor drinking. He understands the absurdity of life, looking for a way out to return to life. The novel draws a comparison with a werewolf. A film based on the book was made in Hollywood, where famous American actors played the main roles.

"The Beast God Forgot to Invent" is a collection of three short stories that describe the actions and impressions of different people in different situations.

The heroes of Jim Garrison's books, regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in, always seek the truth and are tempted by human passions.

Colonel Ludlow's family

In 1979, the main and most recognizable novel of the writer, “Legends of Autumn”, appeared in print. 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, while she herself went to live in Europe.

Indian servants live with the colonel: One Punch and the Decker family.

Children from early childhood were together and very attached to each other. The youngest son, Samuel, after completing his studies, comes home with a bride named Suzanne. The Colonel's eldest son Alfred and Samuel want to sign up as volunteers and participate in the First World War on the side of England. The 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 war, he wants to control and protect his younger brother Samuel.

They sign up as volunteers in Calgary and go to war. Alfred is shot in the leg and Samuel is killed. Tristan avenges his younger brother when he kills the Germans, then he plucks scalps from the corpses. Tristan takes Samuel's heart out of his 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 becomes different. Tristan cannot come to terms with the death of his brother and travels the world, going through many dangerous adventures. Alfred, in love with Susanna, proposes to her, but she refuses him. Susanna is secretly in love with Tristan. When he returns from his wanderings, Susanna opens her heart to him and they live together. Disappointed and offended, Alfred leaves for the city, where, having made money on cattle breeding, he becomescongressman.

Tristan sails away again, he can't find peace. Susanna is waiting with devotion for his return. One day he sends a letter telling Susanna that they need to leave and advising her to find a husband. Susannah takes the news from Tristan tragically, and Colonel Ludlow is paralyzed by the news.

Suzanne marries Alfred.

Tristan returns home, marries one of the Deckers' daughters, Isabella. Prohibition begins, Tristan trades in the illegal sale of alcohol. He starts a feud with the Obanyon brothers, who are partners with his older brother. In one of the shootouts, a police officer, at the request of the gangsters, kills Isabella. Tristan goes berserk and beats up a policeman and is sent to jail.

Suzanne can't forget Tristan. She comes to him and says that she loves only him. Tristan sends her to Alfred and says he doesn't need her. Susanna commits suicide, Tristan's refusal hurt her heart very much.

When Tristan is released, he kills those responsible for the death of his wife, among whom is one of the brothers O'Bagnon. Tristan hides in his father's house. When the gangsters come to the colonel and ask to extradite the killer, Ludlow refuses them. A shootout begins, to which Alfred joins. Gangsters are killed by 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 fight withhuge grizzly.

Screening of the book

In 1994, Edward Zwick directed the film "Legends of the Autumn". The film wonderfully conveyed the world and mood of the book. The film won the 1995 Oscar for Best Cinematography. The amazing cast and script of Jim Garrison made many people around the world empathize, sympathize and admire. Famous Hollywood actors took part in the adaptation: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Julia Ormond and Aidan Quinn.