Archive

Christopher Buckley Remembers Father

EULOGY

Looks at life with, and loss of, extraordinary parents.

cheats/2009/04/22/christopher-buckley-remembers-father/buckley---william-f-buckley-_latvrp
Steve Schapiro / Corbis

What was it like growing up under William F. Buckley? In an excerpt from an upcoming memoir, Christopher Buckley does not pull his punches when reflecting on his parents. For most of the author's adult life, his relationship with his mother was strained, owing primarily to her terrible alcoholism. Living in the shadow of "a great man" who "always got his way" was trying as well. But through the painful process of being branded with the label of "orphan" after losing both parents within the course of 11 months, Christopher Buckley came to understand how much he truly adored both of them. His reflections are laced with important house guests and parties on yachts, all described in the regal language befitting a blue blood borne into an intellectual tradition spanning generations.

Read it at The New York Times

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.