A life of William Inge : the strains of triumph

R. Voss

A biography of William Inge, the American playwright who committed suicide in 1973. By 1962 he had written an unprecedented string of Broadway hits "Picnic", "Bus Stop", "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" and "Come Back, Little Sheba". All four plays had become successful films featuring top Hollywood stars. Inge had received a Pulitzer Prize for "Picnic" and an Academy Award for his screenplay, "Splendour in the Grass". Even his long-time friend and mentor, Tennesse Williams, was envious of his success. Privately, Inge was miserable. His long struggle with alcoholism and profound shame over his homosexuality plagued him before, during and after his decade of great success.