Evan S Connell

Evan S. Connell Jr. (1924–2013) was an American novelist, short-story writer, essayist, and author of expansive historical narratives. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he pursued his education at Dartmouth College and the University of Kansas, later undertaking creative writing studies at Columbia and Stanford Universities. Connell never married and spent significant periods of his life in California before relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he resided until his passing.

Connell's literary career spanned several decades, earning him accolades such as a nomination for the Man Booker International Prize in 2009 and the Robert Kirsch Award from the Los Angeles Times in 2010 for his connection to the American West. His notable works include the novels "Mrs. Bridge" and "Mr. Bridge," which offer subtle, satirical portrayals of middle-class life. He also penned "Son of the Morning Star," a critically acclaimed account of George Armstrong Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which was adapted into a television miniseries.

Evan S. Connell's writing is characterized by a nuanced observation of human behavior and societal dynamics, often with a gently satirical edge. His early novels, "Mrs. Bridge" (1959) and "Mr. Bridge" (1969), delve into the lives of conventional, upper-middle-class Midwestern families, exploring themes of emotional distance, unmet expectations, and the struggle to connect within families. These works, later adapted into the film "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge," showcase Connell's ability to capture the quiet complexities and subtle dissatisfactions of ordinary lives. He also explored the experiences of young men in military settings, as seen in "The Patriot" (1960), which examines the anxieties and communication barriers faced by a cadet in naval aviation during World War II. Connell's later work, such as "Son of the Morning Star" (1984), demonstrated a shift towards more expansive historical narratives, meticulously researched and critically lauded for their depth and scope.

Beyond his fiction, Evan S. Connell made significant contributions to non-fiction, particularly in historical writing. His 1984 book, "Son of the Morning Star: Custer and the Little Bighorn," received widespread critical acclaim and became a bestseller, offering a comprehensive examination of the infamous battle and its central figure. This work's success led to a television miniseries adaptation. Connell also explored the Crusades in "Deus Lo Volt!: A Chronicle of the Crusades" (2000) and penned biographical works, including "Francisco Goya: A Life" (2004). His essays, collected in volumes like "A Long Desire" (1979) and "The Aztec Treasure House" (2001), reveal a thoughtful engagement with diverse subjects, reflecting a broad intellectual curiosity that informed his multifaceted literary output.