Lost Illusions

Sadly neglected today, John O'Hara was like John Cheever, only with a chip on his shoulder. Cheever with an attitude.

John Cheever was a great tragedian of the suburbs; O'Hara a Balzacian poet of the seamy side of small town American life.



All three (Balzac, Cheever, O'Hara) exposed what Sartre called the nothingness that lies coiled like a worm in the heart of being.