Walker Percy
Biography
Walker Percy (1916–1990) was an American novelist and essayist whose work explored the philosophical and spiritual malaise of modern existence, particularly in the American South. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Percy came from a prominent Southern family but experienced early tragedy, including the suicides of both his father and mother. He trained as a physician, earning a medical degree from Columbia University, but contracted tuberculosis during his residency, which forced him to abandon his medical career. During his recovery, he delved deeply into philosophy, existentialism, and semiotics, particularly influenced by figures like Søren Kierkegaard, Gabriel Marcel, and Charles Sanders Peirce. This intellectual journey led him to become a writer, publishing his first novel, "The Moviegoer," in 1961, which won the National Book Award. Percy's novels often feature alienated protagonists grappling with questions of faith, identity, and the search for meaning in a secular world, blending Southern sensibility with profound philosophical inquiry.
Selected Thoughts
«"The search is what anyone would undertake who has not become complacent, and is not prepared to settle for second best."»
«"You can get all A's and still flunk life."»
«"The Moviegoer is really about the search. It's about a man who is living in a world he perceives as meaningless, and he's trying to find a way out of it."»
Writing Style
Percy's writing style is characterized by its intellectual rigor, philosophical depth, and a distinctive blend of satire, dark humor, and Southern Gothic elements. He employs a precise, analytical prose, often from the first-person perspective of an introspective and alienated protagonist. His narratives are rich in existentialist themes, exploring modern man's search for meaning, identity, and transcendence amidst the 'everydayness' and 'malady' of contemporary life. He frequently uses detailed observation and a keen ear for dialogue to expose the absurdities and anxieties of human existence.