Award-winning author to hold readings at Texas State, Kyle

By Lauren A. Lamb
University News Service
March 17, 2009

William Vollmann, a National Book Award winner with a unique perspective, will read some of his work at Texas State University-San Marcos on April 9 at 3:30 p.m. in the Alkek Library.

Vollmann has achieved a cult-like status for embracing taboo subjects because of his first-hand involvement in highly dangerous situations.He has run with the Afghan guerrilla muhajadin against Soviet invaders; smoked crack with street prostitutes; nearly frozen to death while alone for two weeks in the North Pole; and lost two friends while escaping gunfire in a Bosnian war zone.

Vollmann has done all this with what the New York Times Magazine called, “disregard for personal danger that would shame Hunter S. Thompson, or Jack London, or Errol Flynn.” His risky adventures have helped him author more than 20 books.

His literary awards include, the 2005 National Book Award for Fiction for Europe Central, the PEN Center USA West Award for Fiction for the short story collection The Atlas, and a nomination for the National Book Critics Circle award for Rising Up and Rising Down. Vollman’s writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Book Review and Esquire.

Vollmann will also participate in a reading at the Katherine Anne Porter House in Kyle, on April 10 at 7:30 p.m.

This event is sponsored by the Therese Kayser Lindsey Reading Series and the Texas State Department of English. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information please contact Michael Noll at mn19@txstate.edu.