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Sunday book pick: The dangers of self-absorption in ‘Nothing But the Night' by John Williams
I have a soft spot for the debut works of major writers. It's so endearing to witness the writer struggle with all the things that every new writer does – the timelessness of the story, the individuality of language, and above all, to offer the reader a great reading experience. John Williams published his first novel, Nothing But the Night, when he was only 26. He went on to write three more novels – Butcher's Crossing (1960), Stoner (1965), and Augustus (1972). Stoner is his most well-known novel, while Nothing But the Night might actually be his weakest. Critics have often called Stoner a perfect novel, while Nothing But the Night is anything but. In fact, many reviews have criticised Williams for his baroque writing style and the aimlessness of the plot, and to boot, an annoyingly narcissistic protagonist. But to me, these are what make Nothing But the Night so eminently readable. The arc of the writer – from writing a mediocre novel to the perfect one – is here for the reader to witness. And what could be better than that? Father, father, father Nothing But the Night follows 24-year-old Arthur Maxley around an unnamed city in the course of a single night. He has yet to go to university but is lavishly supported by his family – he spends most of his time dozing and drinking. The novel opens with an elaborate description of a dream where he is 'weightless and unalive.' Arthur is a lone man on an island – he is disturbed about something and completely lonely. Despite his young age, his parents are absent from his world and he seems to have no real friends or a lover. He is haunted by something he had witnessed at home, an altercation of sorts between his mother and father. Like his hazy dreams, the reader is kept in the dark about the exact nature of the dispute. Instead, Williams stresses Arthur's hatred for his father. 'Father, Father, Father, he said to himself. What an ugly word.' But Arthur's hatred is mixed with curiosity. When his father turns up in the city after a long spell of foreign travels in South America, Africa, and India, he calls on his son to see him for dinner. Arthur's resentment soon gives way and he agrees. But he's a bundle of nerves. He has no qualms about enjoying his father's wealth but something about being summoned by him as though everything is normal irks him. The evening goes by trying to fend off a 'friend' who hopes to borrow $500 from Arthur to start a publishing company. Arthur's wealth is no secret and his friend urges him to ask his father for the money. When the fateful hour finally arrives, he realises the 'enormity of the moment' and it 'engulfs him like a wave.' The meeting is not pleasant and to make matters worse, a suspicious-looking woman claims to be a close companion of his father's. The absurdity of the hour reaches its peak. Arthur 'sees' his mother's outstretched arm reaching out for him from behind the haze of people at the hotel. Father / Mother? Unable to bear it any longer, Arthur flees the scene and is out on the road again. About this, William writes, 'Some unnameable power pushed him from one place to another, down paths he had no wish to travel…' It is on this path that Claire Higsic catches an 'unconscious corner of his eyes.' She is waiting for someone who is showing no signs of arriving and he has the entire night ahead of him. The two start drinking – champagne at first, and then brandy – and inevitably, the mood sobers up as the man starts regaling his woes. When Claire tries to compliment his hands, he shuts her up by saying that he is nothing more than a 'parasite.' Despite the obvious seduction of the moment, Arthur finds it impossible to relax. Claire offers to go back to her place, but the spatial familiarity, her beauty which is comparable to his mother, and her forthcoming attitude throw him off – something is not right about how the night is unfolding. Plus, he is hallucinating again. He can clearly see the scene from his childhood, only this time, it is his mother who is holding the gun. She is all set to use it. In a moment of anger and epiphany, Arthur wonders if he's got it all wrong. Was his resentment of his father all for nothing? If so, where is his mother and why is his father never home? Completely emasculated by his own childhood and this woman who's making him do as she pleases, Arthur lashes out at her in the ultimate show of masculinity. There is a lot of aimlessness in Williams's novel. For instance, Arthur never really realises the cause of his anguish, he wanders the streets without a destination in mind, he drinks without really savouring the taste. When he's presented with a chance of companionship – however temporary – he squanders it by falsely equating Claire's boldness to his mother's. In contemporary language, he's both a mama's boy and a daddy's brat. He exists in a suspended state of abandonment and betrayal, which, by the end of the novel, the reader suspects is of his own making. Nothing But the Night is not a perfect novel, and it does not have to be. But even at the early age of 26, Williams was preoccupied with the crisis of masculinity in the 20th century – a theme that he would revisit in his later novels. His debut novel perfectly portrays the oppressive mess of repression and self-absorption, and the dangers of indulging in these feelings for too long. Nothing but the Night, John Williams, Vintage.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Indie Powerhouse Production Company 'Phiphen' Marks 10 Years of Redefining the Film & TV Landscape
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - May 1, 2025) - Phiphen, the award-winning independent film and television production company, proudly celebrates its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of championing bold storytelling, supporting visionary creators, and producing genre-spanning content for global audiences. Phiphen Founder and CEO, Molly Conners To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Founded in 2015 by Emmy-nominated producer Molly Conners, Phiphen has established itself as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry. From standout films like Butcher's Crossing and Coup! to its most recent release — Wish You Were Here, the acclaimed directorial debut of Julia Stiles released by Lionsgate and Universal — Phiphen consistently delivers stories that resonate both critically and culturally. The company also produced the 2024 action-thriller Turbulence, starring Olga Kurylenko, Jeremy Irvine, Hera Hilmar, and Kelsey Grammer, and directed by Claudio Faeh. Currently in post-production, Turbulence was shot on location in the Dolomites and London. As part of its expanding slate, Phiphen has announced the start of principal photography on THE STALEMATE, an absurdist Western comedy shooting in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The film stars Ben Foster, Manny Jacinto, and Fiona Shaw, and is directed by writer/director Nicholas Arioli. The story follows a robber and sheriff locked in a bullet-less standoff deep in the Old West. Phiphen's foundation was made possible by the visionary support of its founding board member, Rich J. Berthy, whose early belief in the company helped shape its mission to empower diverse voices and push creative boundaries. In 2022, the company expanded into post-production with the opening of Phiphen Post Studios, a full-service facility in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Co-founded by Jane Sinisi and Conners, the studio has become a creative hub for East Coast filmmakers, offering state-of-the-art resources and a collaborative environment. Further growing its creative reach, Phiphen recently launched Phiphen Games, a new division focused on immersive, narrative-driven interactive experiences. The studio's debut title, Ruffy and the Riverside, is set to release in June 2025, blending heart, humor, and adventure in a bold step into the world of gaming. "Reaching the 10-year mark is a testament to the incredible artists, partners, and team members who've helped shape Phiphen into what it is today," said the company in a statement. "From day one, we've been driven by a passion to tell stories that matter and a belief in the power of collaboration. We're proud of our journey so far and excited for what's next." Phiphen will commemorate its 10th anniversary with a special event later this year, bringing together longtime collaborators and supporters to reflect on a decade of creative achievement and look ahead to the future. About PhiphenPhiphen is an independently owned film and television production company founded in 2015 by award-winning producer Molly Conners. Named after the Phi phenomenon — the optical illusion that gives still images the illusion of motion — Phiphen is inspired by cinema's power to move and connect audiences. The company develops and produces original content across genres and platforms and supports talent at every stage of their careers. In addition to its production work, Phiphen operates Phiphen Post Studios in New Jersey and Phiphen Games, its interactive media division. Media Contact:PhiphenBetsy Rudnickbetsyrudnickpr@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
