Biography
John Henry O'Hara, a notable figure in American literature, was born on January 31, 1905, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. His upbringing in a relatively affluent family, which later faced financial hardships, profoundly influenced his work. Although he faced criticism during his lifetime, O'Hara's mastery in capturing social nuances and dialogues has since earned him a respected place among the great prose writers of his era.
Early Life and Influences
The eldest of eight siblings, John Henry O'Hara entered the world in Pottsville, which he later fictionalized as Gibbsville in his writings. His parents, Katharine Delaney O'Hara and Patrick Henry O'Hara, were significant influences in his early life. During the devastating influenza epidemic of 1918-1919, O'Hara, not yet of legal age to drive, helped his father, a doctor, by serving as his chauffeur. This experience later inspired his story "The Doctor's Son," a standout in his first story collection.
Career Beginnings and Challenges
Though O'Hara aspired to study at Yale University, his dreams were thwarted by his father's sudden death, which altered the family's financial standing. Despite this setback, he pursued his passion for writing, working with various newspapers in Chicago and New York. Gradually, his witty contributions to columns gained him recognition. His steady submissions to The New Yorker prepared the ground for his first major success, "Appointment in Samarra," in 1934. This novel's success led to a stint in Hollywood as a screenwriter, yet he continued to publish short stories in renowned publications.
Personal Life and World War II
After a short-lived first marriage to Helen Petit, which ended in two years, O'Hara remarried Belle Wylie in 1938. Wylie, who bore his only child, remained by his side until her passing in 1954. Though O'Hara's age and health issues exempted him from military service during World War II, he contributed as a war correspondent for Liberty magazine. His wartime experiences enriched two subsequent short story collections, reflecting both the war and its aftermath.
Focus Shift to Novels
O'Hara's post-war years marked a shift towards longer narratives, venturing into more detailed novels than his earlier work. Unfortunately, these efforts were met with increased criticism. A particularly harsh review of "A Rage to Live" in The New Yorker resulted in a decade-long estrangement from the magazine. Despite the criticism and controversy regarding his explicit depictions of sexual themes, the 1950s witnessed the adaptation of several of his novels into films.
Renewed Relationship with The New Yorker
In the 1960s, a reconciliation with The New Yorker allowed O'Hara to publish the three novellas in "Sermons and Soda Water." During this decade, he dedicated himself to crafting well-constructed short stories that spanned both contemporary settings and the period between the world wars. Although O'Hara continued to write novels, his short stories, richer in detail and length, showcased his true talent, with many first appearing in The New Yorker.
Later Years
O'Hara's third marriage to Katherine "Sister" Barnes Bryan in 1955 marked the beginning of his final years, which he spent near Princeton, New Jersey. Here, he focused on chronicling early 20th-century life through his short fiction until he died at 65. His works serve as a historical record of the era, brightly capturing the social dynamics of his time.
Literary Reputation and Influence
Despite initial neglect by literary critics, primarily due to his popularity and vivid storytelling, O'Hara's reputation has grown posthumously. His sharp observations of societal behaviors and dialogues earned him comparisons to contemporaries like John P. Marquand. O'Hara's background, marked by a fall from affluence, informed his nuanced portrayal of the social elite and common folk alike, reflecting his keen insights...
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into life across societal strata.
Legacy in Short Fiction
O'Hara's legacy, much like John Cheever's, is largely rooted in his short fiction. While his novels often mirrored themes and tones found in his shorter works, they rarely matched the impact of his finest stories. "Appointment in Samarra" remains an exception, hailed as a significant literary achievement.
Enduring Influence
Possibly a reason for his delayed critical acclaim, O'Hara's stories are straightforward, often resisting in-depth analysis. His exploration of universal themes like ambition, unrequited love, and mortality enabled him to connect seamlessly with readers. His influence on later writers, notably John Updike, is unmistakable, paving the way for future generations with his pioneering style.