Charles William Goyen (April 24, 1915 – August 30, 1983) was an American author, editor, and teacher.
He was born in Trinity, Texas, and at the age of eight he moved with his family to Houston. Later, after teaching for one year at the University of Houston, he left to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Returning to the U.S. after five years in the service, he pursued his work outside of Houston. Goyen is often considered "a writer's wri...
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Charles William Goyen (April 24, 1915 – August 30, 1983) was an American author, editor, and teacher.
He was born in Trinity, Texas, and at the age of eight he moved with his family to Houston. Later, after teaching for one year at the University of Houston, he left to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Returning to the U.S. after five years in the service, he pursued his work outside of Houston. Goyen is often considered "a writer's writer," and though his work never achieved mainstream fame, his work is admired for its spirit and unusual style. The House of Breath, his first novel, has a cult following and remains in print to this day.
He died of leukemia in 1983, aged 68 shortly after the completion of his last novel. He was survived by his wife, actress Doris Roberts.
"I don’t feel that there is any (spirit) in most contemporary writers I’ve read, they are too busy with repeating themselves, and their own success…But I’m not looking for disciples, I don’t think anyone...
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