The New York Times looks at the reaction of the family of Charles Schulz to a new biography of the Peanuts creator, which reportedly depicts him as “a depressed, cold and bitter man who was constantly going after different women.”
The author, David Michaelis, had been granted full access to the cartoonist’s papers by the Schulz family:
Jean Schulz, Charles’ second wife, said she read about three-quarters of Mr. Michaelis’s third draft. She didn’t disagree that her husband, whom friends called Sparky, was “melancholy,” but she said that was only part of the story: “It’s not a full portrait. Sparky was so much more. Most of the time he loved to laugh.
“Part of what puzzles people about Sparky was that he talked about the actual physical sensation that he had from being anxious, the ‘sense of dread’ when he got up in the morning. But he had a Buddhist acceptance of life and its ups and downs. He functioned perfectly well.
“David couldn’t put everything in,” she said, but added, “I think Sparky’s melancholy and his dysfunctional first marriage are more interesting to talk about than 25 years of happiness.” She quoted her husband’s frequent response to why Charlie Brown never got to kick the football: “Happiness is not funny.”
Schulz and Peanuts is due in stores next week.
Related: Newsweek Q&A with author David Michaelis
October 8th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Charles Schulz was bitter and melancholy? Wow, that NEVER reflected in any of his work. I’m shocked!
October 8th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
What is with America’s (and the world’s for that matter)obsession with tearing down its beloved icons? What does this biography hope to achieve other than to ruin a man’s reputation? Pathetic and sick.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I don’t know about the book, but that cover looks really sweet.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
What tearing down? Most of the things I read in the linked interview are publicly known (the affair, the distance from the kids), save the two things that no one but Schulz remembered. I love Schulz’ work and look forward to getting to know the man better than the Good Grief bio years ago.
One thing Michaelis doesn’t touch on is that there is some sort of phenomenon where those who are bullied sometimes amplify the amount of abuse in their memories beyond the actual events. Also, sometimes if a kid is hassling EVERYONE they don’t always remember it that way – they think they were buddies to all.