Between Grief and Nothing

In 1962, William Faulkner left his homestead in Oxford, Mississippi, to travel to the nearby Byhalia sanatorium for alcoholism rehabilitation. While such journeys were not uncommon, Faulkner's experience took a dark turn that led to his ultimate demise. This book traces the sequence of events leading to his initial hospitalization, exploring facets of his emotional instability, mental health, and various addictions. It reveals how Faulkner's fervent passions shaped both his life and his art; brilliance and madness emerged in equal measure as the author's substance abuse shaped his reality.

Beneath the scholarly facade depicted in photographs was a troubled man entangled in a complex marriage, seeking solace through serial sexual and romantic affairs, perilous pastimes, and the pervasive culture of alcohol abuse. The ultimate truth surrounding Faulkner's final decline gradually emerges as this book examines previously undisclosed medical details such as patient records, administered medications, and financial statements. Interviews with close associates at the Leonard Wright Sanatorium, the sight of his unexpected death, provide further insights. This book reveals a culture ill-prepared to address mental health crises and identifies the habitual forces that led to the downfall of one of America's most celebrated literary figures.