I’m so happy that my memoir, Little Brother, based on the short life of my brother Jonathan Bingham, will be published by the estimable publisher, Sarabande Books, next year. Sarabande is based in Louisville, Ky although publishing poetry, essays and memoirs from all over the country; Jonathan will be back in the place he loved best, and the only place he ever felt he really belonged.
Due to my sister Eleanor Bingham Miller’s generosity, I was given access to the few letters and newspaper accounts from Jonathan’s short life for my research, especially the journal he kept during the last months of his disastrous Junior year at Harvard—that maw that devours so many.
I find in Jonathan’s stories many parallels to William Faulkner’s novel, The Sound and the Fury. Quentin Compson, whose southern family sold some of their land to finance his education at Harvard, was also undone by the complexities of his experience there. Memorial Bridge in Cambridge, MA has a plaque commemorating his suicide in the Charles River, the only time I’ve ever heard of an imaginary character commemorated in this way.
Jonathan’s story is of course different, especially because he had so many friends. The widow of one of them, Corky Short, has kindly given me permission to quote Corky’s heart-felt letter to my parents several years after Jonathan’s death. He has been remembered, but not until now in the form of a book.
And what a handsome book this will be, my fourth with Sarabande; the cover is a powerful symbol of Jonathan’s story, and the beautiful embossed design at the front of the book is a sign of the great care and imagination with which the talented staff handle their work.
If you decide to preorder this book directly from Sarabande, I will arrange to sign it for you.
How wonderful to know that Jonathan’s story will make its appearance in Kentucky next year. Looking forward to learning more about his life. Love always!