William Wharton
William Wharton, born Albert Du Aime on November 7, 1925, in Philadelphia, is an acclaimed American author known for his poignant storytelling and exploration of complex human relationships. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he majored in English literature and psychology. Wharton's literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, *Birdy*, in 1978, which won the National Book Award and was later adapted into a film. The novel delves into themes of redemption and mental health, following a young man in an army asylum who believes he can transform into a bird.
Wharton's other notable works include *A Midnight Clear* and *Dad: A Novel*, both of which also received film adaptations. *A Midnight Clear* captures the harrowing experiences of German soldiers during World War II, while *Dad* offers a touching examination of aging and familial bonds as a son navigates his relationship with his ailing father. In addition to his fiction, Wharton authored two nonfiction works, including a memoir and a heartfelt account of personal tragedy. His contributions to literature reflect a deep understanding of the human condition, making his works resonate with readers across diverse backgrounds.
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Subject Terms
William Wharton
Author
- Born: November 7, 1925
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Died: October 29, 2008
- Place of death: Encinitas, California
Biography
William Wharton is the pseudonym of Albert Du Aime, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 7, 1925. He attended the University of California in Los Angeles, where he studied English literature and psychology. In 1978, Wharton published his first novel, Birdy. A National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner, Birdy was an immediate success and was adapted as a film directed by Alan Parker and starring Nicholas Cage and Matthew Modine.
Birdy is a story of redemption set in an army insane asylum. The main character, known only as Birdy, is introduced to the reader as a young man who is hunched over and squatting, flapping his arms like a bird; it is later explained that he is actually trying to be a bird. Other characters in the novel include the puzzled army psychiatrist who is trying to help Birdy and Birdy’s childhood friend, Al, a disfigured World War II veteran. Birdy’s present predicament is explained in the book by using alternating dialogues between Birdy and Al, incorporating past events to explain the present. Birdy received lavish praise from critics.
Wharton published seven more novels, including Dad: A Novel and A Midnight Clear, which were also adapted for film. A Midnight Clear is about a group of German soldiers in the Adriennes Forest in December, 1944. The novel follows these soldiers as, nearing Christmas and on the brink of insanity, they cling to each other to survive. The ending is a shocker, as a sudden and hostile action results in the slaughter of the German soldiers.
Dad examines the relationship between a father and son in the later years of life, exploring the realities of aging and what it is like for someone to lose the ability to do things they were once able to do. It also deals with the complex relationships and issues that can arise when a son has to take care of an aging and fading father. After the father is stricken with cancer, he hides from reality by retreating into a fantasy world of the past, reliving it as if it was the present. His family, humoring the old man by going along with his fantasies, becomes closer as a result of reliving the good times they once shared. The novel was adapted for the screen by Gary David Goldberg and featured actors Ted Danson and Jack Lemmon as the main characters. Wharton also published two works of nonfiction: Houseboat on the Seine, a memoir, and Even After: A True Story, an account of a horrific accident that took the life of his daughter, son- in-law, and two grandchildren.