Louisiana has a rich and dark literary history, having produced and seduced many well-known writers over the years. The cultural and class struggles, the blending of peoples, and the combination of festivities and tormented times has made New Orleans an especially favorite haunt and subject among writers.
Classic Writers
Tennessee Williams
Perhaps the best known resident of the French Quarter was playwright Tennessee Williams. He spent many years in the vibrant neighborhood, setting several of his works there, including his famous play (and later movie) A Streetcar Named Desire. Both A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof won Williams Pulitzer Prizes. He also won numerous other awards for his writing, including a Tony, four New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and many others.
The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival happens each March, honoring Williams and other writers. Many well-known writers and actors attend the festival, which includes workshops, panel discussions, performances, book sales, and more. Walking tours highlighting Williams's residence and hangouts are also available.
William Faulkner
Another famous resident of the French Quarter was William Faulkner. Although he was born in and spent most of his life in Mississippi, he lived in New Orleans for about a year. He arrived as an unknown poet, but during his brief stay he published his first work in the journal The Double Dealer, wrote a satiric book with famous artist William Spratling, and wrote and published his first novel, Soldiers' Pay. A series of poetic sketches about New Orleans also garnered him some income. Faulkner earned a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949, "for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel."
Faulkner fans can visit Faulkner House, located at 624 Pirate's Alley in the French Quarter, where he subleased the ground floor from William Spratling. Today, the flat is home to Faulkner Books, a shop dedicated to Faulkner's works, in addition to rare editions, important literature, and collectible books. Although the building is privately owned, tours can be arranged in advance. A donation to the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society is required.
A non-profit organization, The Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society supports writers and hosts numerous events, such as the Words and Music art festival, workshops, writing competitions, classes, and Meet the Author events. They also sponsor a literary journal and a Mardi Gras Krewe.
Assorted Authors
Other classic writers with ties to Louisiana include Kate Chopin, Catharine Cole, and Tom Dent. Kate Chopin married a French Creole businessman, and they lived in both New Orleans and Cloutierville. Her life in Louisiana inspired her writing, including her most famous book, The Awakening, which caused a scandal with its feminist themes. Catharine Cole, a staff writer at the New Orleans Daily Picayune in the late 1800s, wrote vivid depictions of her travels throughout the state. New Orleans activist and author Tom Dent played a major role in developing African American theater and literature throughout the latter half of the 20th century. An annual festival in his honor takes place in New Orleans.
Contemporary Literature
Louisiana's contemporary writers include Anne Rice, James Lee Burke, and Sister Helen Prejean. Anne Rice is one of the most widely read authors in the world today, having sold millions of books. Some of her most famous books belong to the Vampire Chronicles, including Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, and Queen of the Damned. Several tours in New Orleans make reference to Anne Rice and her books. Garden District tours often point out her home and family's property, along with homes used in her stories, such as the Rosegate Mansion in The Witching Hour. Tours of local cemeteries and other haunts highlight scenes from her books as well, in places like Lafayette Cemetery #1, which Rice uses often.
James Lee Burke writes mostly crime fiction set amongst Louisiana's Cajun and bayou country. A native of Texas and Louisiana, he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana and later taught there. His books include the very popular Dave Robicheaux series, most of which take place in south Louisiana, particularly in New Iberia where he grew up and still maintains a home. Burke has said, "New Iberia has the most beautiful main street in the country." As he often utilizes real locations in his books, visitors to New Iberia can get a taste of his popular character's life by strolling through town, along Bayou Teche, and down to St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Sister Helen Prejean wrote about her experiences with a convicted murderer in Dead Man Walking. The book topped bestseller lists, garnered her a Pulitzer Prize nomination, and spawned an award-winning film. Fans can visit Angola Prison where the book and movie took place. The prison has a museum, golf course, and an annual rodeo. Prejean continues to write and speak out against the death penalty. Her second book, The Death of Innocents, explores flaws in the legal system which lead to the execution of innocent people.
Poets have made their mark on Louisiana, too. Yusef Komunyakaa, a jazz poet born and bred in the small town of Bogalusa, often draws on his childhood there in his works. His poetry collection Neon Vernacular won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1994. Walt Whitman spent some time in New Orleans, which had quite an impact on him. Several of his poems refer to Louisiana, including I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing. Of course, Louisiana's Poet Laureates, such as Jean Boese and Brenda Marie Osbey, have paid their own poetic tributes to the Pelican State.
Travelers with a literary bent may enjoy attending a literary festival. The Louisiana Book Festival, a free annual autumn event in Baton Rouge, features about a hundred authors in various genres, youth programs, and lots of good food and music. Each May, writers can immerse themselves in master classes and readings led by established authors at the annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans. Registration is required.
Many writers have found their muse in Louisiana's unique places, including rural Cajun country, the gothic cemeteries of New Orleans, and the state's majestic mansions. Whether taking a guided tour or simply walking the places made famous on the page, visitors will find the spirit of Louisiana literature all around.
