Chasing the Coyote

Coyote--The Dramatic Lives of Sam Shepard is Robert M. Dowling's aptly titled biography that chronicles the many facets of Shepard's life.

Shepard, who died in 2017, was a playwright, actor, director, musician, and self-styled cowboy. He earned the Pulitzer Prize in 1979 for his play, Buried Child, which cemented his prominence in the theater world and opened doors for him as a screenwriter, actor, and director.

Dowling notes that at the time of Shepard's death, he had written more than 60 plays, six produced screenplays, and 10 books. His acting credits included more than 60 film and television roles. Ironically, the author notes that Shepard said he wasn't even trying. We should all be so lucky.

Dowling's book is neatly organized with a prologue and an introduction that are followed by three sections that detail Shepard's life from 1943 to 2017.

The prologue and introduction are instructive in understanding who Shepard was and the direction of his life and art. He grew up in a dysfunctional home with an abusive, alcoholic father. This relationship, though painful, provided him with lifelong inspiration. His plays, which are fueled by fear, guilt, alienation, and chaos, are the product of that relationship. He was always trying to come to terms with the hell of his father.

In addition to Shepard's family situation, Dowling also chronicles his romances. He was married to actress O-Lan Jones from 1969 to 1984 and had a long-term relationship with actress Jessica Lange. Even though they separated in 2009, she remained a part of his life until the end. He was also romantically linked with musicians Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith.

Readers of a certain age may enjoy the content about Shepard's film career the most. Though he often disparaged Hollywood, he was frequently cast in rugged and stoic roles. Days of Heaven, The Right Stuff, and Black Hawk Down bear this out. Whether a farmer, a test pilot, or a general, Shepard delivered an authentic masculine performance that is the film's foundation.

In 2014, Shepard contracted progressive muscular atrophy, a condition that causes the degeneration of neurons in the spinal cord. Despite difficulty with his arms and legs, Shepard remained a writer to the end, managing to complete two books before his death. One family member noted that the disease never dulled his drive or desire.

Ultimately, Dowling’s book offers an intimate look at Shepard’s art and his lifelong effort to make sense of the world and come to terms with his father. Given his prolific output, I don’t know if he ever found peace, but Dowling shows us Shephard gave it his all. And for that, we’re all richer.

I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley.com.