hope floats

Go ahead and stare deeply into the eyes of some celebrated literary drunks and addicts in LIFE's odd gallery. Some of the pictures are interesting, or curious, some a little frightening. None of them, however, is particularly enlightening--it seems an odd choice for a photo spread.

Still, like all good train wrecks, I can't look away. My favorite photo might be John Berryman, the bearded Everyman--trending toward the Unabomber--talking with fellow drinkers at a neighborhood bar. I've had a similar photo hanging over every writing desk I've ever had. Don't ask me why.

Two quotes of note. Brendan Behan says, "I only take a drink on two occasions: when I'm thirsty and when I'm not." And Kerouac, "I'm catholic and I can't commit suicide, so I plan to drink myself to death." The caption helpfully notes, "And so he did."

Under each image, we get the writer's addiction of choice. Alcohol, Amphetamines, Herioin. Under Hunter S. Thompson, we get the wonderfully apt Everything.

Anyone else find this photo of Faulkner odd? For some reason, when I picture him at work, I get a very different image than this one, shirtless, in shorts, socks and shoes, with aviator sunglasses and a military haircut, typing on an ottoman.