Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir

By Tony Hillerman

Book Overview

When Tony Hillerman looks back at seventy-six years spent getting from hardtimes farm boy to bestselling author, he sees lots of evidence that Providence was poking him along. For example, when an absentminded Army clerk left him off the hospital ship taking the wounded home from France, the mishap put him on a collision course with a curing ceremony held for two Navajo Marines, thereby providing the grist for a writing career that now sees his books published in sixteen languages around the world and often on bestseller lists. Or, for example, when his agent told him his first novel was so bad that it would hurt both of their reputations, he nonetheless sent it to an editor, and that editor happened to like the Navajo stuff. In this wry and whimsical memoir, Hillerman offers frequent backward glances at where he found ideas for plots of his books and the characters that inhabit them. He takes us with him to death row, where he interviews a man about to die in the gas chamber and details how this murderer became Colton Wolf in one of his novels. He relates how flushing a solitary heron from a sandbar caused him to convert Joe Leaphorn from husband to widower, and how his self-confessed bias against the social elite solved the key plot problem in A Thief of Time. No child abuse stories here: The worst Hillerman can recall is being sent off to first grade (in a boarding school for Indian girls) clad in cute blue coveralls instead of the manly overalls his farm-boy peers all wore. Instead we get a good-natured trip through hard times in college; an infantry career in which he "rose twice to Private First Class" and also won a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart; and, afterward, work as a truck driver, chain dragger, journalist, professor, and "doer of undignified deeds" for two university presidents. All this is colored by a love affair (now in its fifty-fourth year) with Marie, which involved raising six children, most of them adopted. Using the gifts of a talented novelist and reporter, seventy-six-year-old Tony Hillerman draws a brilliant portrait not just of his life but of the world around him.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060194456
• ISBN13: 9780060194451
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Gotta Love Tony

I started reading Tony Hillerman books for my 11th grade English extra credit and I couldn't put them down! I recieved this book as a Christmas present and couldn't put it down! If you enjoy Tony Hillerman's books then you'll love his memoir. Its open, frank and honest about what it took before he became the author we know and love. After reading this I became determined to read any of his books I hadn't read yet. Also if you are familiar with his books you get little inside stories as to what it took him to get some of them published.

The West of the late 20th Century

Hillerman is part of Brokaw's Greatest Generation. That's a trite notion, but Hillerman can wear that mantle proudly. This book covers a lot of ground. It's about the Depression, growing up in Texas. It's about being in the Infantry in World War II. He seems to do a good job of describing war and armies of young kids killing each other. It's sobering if you read the history books, about policies gone bad and the rise of bad governments. In the end it's about kids killing kids, and I don't pretend there's any way to avoid that in many instances. I'd like to.Eventually, Hillerman ends up in New Mexico. The stuff about political corruption is priceless. It sounds a little like Arizona, where I grew up. Those confessions when you have a bike lock around a suspects privates make a guy a bit cynical. But it's little glimpses of the legislature and the university that really explain how things work in the mountain west. Hillerman comes off as a good guy. Not a hero, but a good guy.I've met Mr. Hillerman. I've read all the books. I like the idea of finding harmony with the land and with ourselves. He seems to (want to) understand how people go bad. Sometimes it may be because they grow up with nothing, and sometimes because they grow up with too much. His books take the view that people are generally the product of the pressures they face growing up, and sometimes the influences produce rotten scoundrels. That's not the simplistic view of 'personal responsibility', but Hillerman doesn't offer excuses, only explanations. And, as a mystery writer, he 'needs' bad people, right? This book provides interesting explanations, from real life, for some of his villains. There's a hierarchy of evil in some of his books, trashed-out people trying to survive and powerful manipulators pulling their strings. It's interesting to juxtapose this on 'authority' that is based on constant cleansing and renewal of blessing. What makes this book so great is that you see how a writer's experience molds everything he does, and what sometimes seems like a formula is, hopefully, a very rich blending of human experience that has generated unique perspective. I have more respect for the books since I read this book, and I was already a fan.Hillerman makes me proud to live in the Southwest. George Sears

Autobiography with feeling

Tony Hillerman tells a touching story of a great writer from Brokaw's "greatest generation" and his rise to literary success and acclaim. His views of small town Oklahoma during the depression are sensitive and yet lively. His recounting of the struggles of a foot soldier in World War II are moving, especially to a fellow veteran of a different era. The true story is a window into the soul of a man who could create Jim Chee, and more importantly, Joe Leaphorn.

Never Disappoints

Completely fascinating and thought provoking. Full of so many surprises and unexpected pleasures. I thought his portrayal of growing up in depression Oklahoma a revelation and a window to a time those of us who grew up later can hardly imagine. His infantryman's view of WWII must be read by anyone with any delusions of the "glories" of war. His immersion into the world of journalism and politics at the city, state and university level enlightens. And the joys of family life that have sustained him will sustain all. His whole attitude toward life and all the cards that he has been dealt is an example for us all. I have been a fan of his books and have regularly given or loaned my copies. Having studied anthropology in the distant past, I've found his portrayals of the modern day Navaho and surrounding groups to be better than any ethnography I have ever read - plus his mysteries are so well done, using the cultural complexities to further the plot. The only part I skipped was at the very end where he discusses each book - and only because I think I want to go back and reread them - in order. Tony Hillerman fills a need we didn't know we had until he came along and this book does the same. Thanks a lot!

Never Disappointing

As an Anglo author who writes a mystery series starring a Latino private eye, I have always felt a strong kinship with Tony Hillerman, an Anglo author who writes mysteries starring Navajo tribal police officers. I found this autobiography a fascinating read. SELDOM DISAPPOINTED was never disappointing. From the days of his youth growing up in Oklahoma to his days of success here and now, Tony Hillerman tells a great tale. It is the greatest story he's ever told. His memories of his mother are particularly touching, as is his affectionate comments about his wife and children. Then, of course, there is his professional career. Read SELDOM DISAPPOINTED as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed.