Sons Come and Go, Mothers Hang in Forever

by William Saroyan

Saroyan's memoirs with anecdotes about many of the famous people he has known.

Genres: American, Nonfiction

211 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1976, these are terrific vignettes and memories of the people and places that William Saroyan knew. When published, it was given a front page review on the NY Times Book Review -- and it was properly saluted as an outstanding collection of mini-essays by a master.

Late in his career, Saroyan wrote a lot of these types of books, by turns diaries, memories, and wide-ranging thoughts. This is the best of these books and an important work about the people of the mid half of the last century. You have Ernest Hemingway, Louis B. Mayer, Katherine Hepburn, and many many others crossing paths with Saroyan. An entertaining read that is also a glimpse of history.