The Luckiest Thing I Ever Did
Writer Kurt Vonnegut passed away April 11, 2007 at the age of 84. His influence is felt throughout contemporary literature. One of his fondest experiences as a writer was the two years he spent as an instructor here in Iowa City at the Writers’ Workshop, where his presence is still significant.
At Special Collections & University Archives, traces of Vonnegut’s time here are preserved, beginning with his letter accepting the position, where he describes himself as “very pleased.” He also asks about housing, starting a process that would eventually lead him to take up residence at 800 N. Van Buren Street, where a tradition of May Day parties begun while he was a resident blossomed, after he left, into one of Iowa City’s larger gatherings, known as the “Vonnegut Party.” Click the images below to view the letter, along with the response from John C. Gerber, Chair of the English Department.
While he was teaching at the Workshop, and living at 800 N. Van Buren, Vonnegut wrote to Paul Engle, director of the Writers’ Workshop, in a letter characteristic of his loose and fluid style of correspondence. Of particular note is a paragraph containing Vonnegut’s thoughts regarding improvements to the Workshop (click for the full-size image):
A letter written to Engle’s successor, George Starbuck, in 1968, after Vonnegut had left Iowa City, reveals the affection he had for his time in Iowa. He mentions his daughter’s fondness for the years spent here, saying “boy, is she ever happy out there!” (click for the full-size image):
The bulk of Vonnegut’s papers and manuscripts now reside at the Lilly Library at Indiana University. In our collections, however, is another of Vonnegut’s works. It is a series of eight untitled drawings made in 1984 and given to a close friend and student of Vonnegut’s at the Workshop, Loree Rackstraw. These drawings provide a glimpse of a different aspect of Vonnegut’s creativity. Click on the image in the title of this post for a full-size view of one of the drawings.
Vonnegut’s novels, stories, and essays, and his influence on his contemporaries, will continue to inspire future generations. His time in Iowa City was important both for him as a writer, and for his contributions to the development of the Writers’ Workshop during an important period of its history.
