Writing for his day job at the Patriot News, Blog@’s Chris Mautner talks to Monte Schulz about the recent biography of his dad, Schulz and Peanuts:
On what the book left out: “The biggest omissions are a huge part of Dad’s life involving his activities, his life with his family, everything that was done with us. He spent tons of time with us, day after day after day. All of that was left out. Essentially the kids are not in the book.”
“The fact that the family is out of the book is a huge omission.
“It’s a huge omission because our absence … distorts the view of our family life and allows David to say that my dad wasn’t a good father. It gives the impression he had no interaction with us.”
On the charge that Schulz was a distant, unaffectionate father: “The real question is, did you, Monte, feel genuine love and affection from your father, and I would say absolutely.
“On a constant basis. … If not, then why would we be so close to him at the end of his life?”
EDIT: Chris posted the uncut version of the interview on his blog.
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:01 am
It will be interesting to see long-term how Michaelis’ work is regarded. I would expect to see another bio in about five years or so, that will “get it right” in the eyes of the family. Yet which will be the better work?