Drafts, Adaptations, Published Excerpts
Nearly thirty years in the making, William Gass's much-anticipated second novel began appearing in self-contained installments, starting with “We Have Not Lived the Right Life,” in The New American Review, in 1969. Besides being published in literary journals, chapbooks, periodicals, and as limited edition hardcovers, various sections were also adapted for the stage, on broadsides and as readings or lectures.
The William H. Gass Papers contain many drafts of the sections--or philippics--from The Tunnel, two of which appear in this exhibit. Also, on loan from Gass, is the earliest typescript version of the book, the first ten pages of which are featured here.
First typed draft of The Tunnel
Program for "The Cost of Everything," an adaptation of a section of The Tunnel, by the Purdue Readers
“The Cost of Everything” Purdue Readers’ advertisement with Purdue Exponent article affixed
Invitation to "The Cost of Everything," an adaptation of a section of The Tunnel, by the Highline Readers
An announcement for readings by John Hawkes, William Gass and John Barth at the Centre Culturel Americain in Paris, France
A special issue of River Styx devoted to “Family Album,” a section from The Tunnel
Cassette tape dust jacket of William H. Gass reading "The Old Folks" and excerpts from The Tunnel
Various printout drafts of "Krystalnacht," a section from The Tunnel
Printout draft of "Outcast on the Mountains of the Heart," a section from The Tunnel
Typescript draft of "Sweets", a fictional memoir essay published in Harper's Magazine, and included in The Tunnel.