Thomas McGuane

America at Large: The World of Thomas McGuane

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On April 6th, 1990, author Thomas McGuane visited the John Adams Institute. At the age of ten, McGuane knew he wanted to be a writer. His career spans over 50 years and includes Ninety-two in the Shade, The Bushwhacked Piano and Nothing But Blue Skies. His novels embody a romantic ‘western’ view on life, embodied by the cowboy/tough …

thomasmcguane

On April 6th, 1990, author Thomas McGuane visited the John Adams Institute.

At the age of ten, McGuane knew he wanted to be a writer. His career spans over 50 years and includes Ninety-two in the Shade, The Bushwhacked Piano and Nothing But Blue Skies. His novels embody a romantic ‘western’ view on life, embodied by the cowboy/tough guy characters who refuse to accept suburban American life. In an era where American suburbia does not offer citizens values to fight for, McGuane’s characters are forced to go West, in search of a more authentic lifestyle where freedom and independence are still to be won. Searching for the roots of American civilization, his characters take large risks to accomplish their often bizarre ideals.

Thomas McGuane’s work was introduced by Hans Bertens, professor in American Literature at the Universiteit Utrecht, who also moderated the evening.

McGuane continues to work at his ranch in Montana.

Read more about his books here.

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