Good Grief!
Have you heard about the new biography Shulz and Peanuts: A Biography by David Michaelis? The book is a controversial look at the life of Charles M. Schulz, creator of the comic strip “Peanuts.”
Controversial? Peanuts? Apparently, Michaelis says Schulz was plagued by dark moods and problematic relationships. His characters --- the domineering Lucy and milquetoast Charlie Brown – are representative of these personal demons.
Years ago, I was ghostwriting a book on surviving a heart attack and had the opportunity to interview Mr. Schulz. To me, he sounded exactly like the guy I would imagine scribing my favorite toon from childhood – happy and full of optimism. He even talked about sneaking a hot fudge sundae or two although his doctor warned against them.
I’ve interviewed or worked with several prominent people over the years and am well aware that flaws are part of what makes these people so outstanding. If Schulz was deeply troubled, he hid it well to a young (at the time) writer and recognized that his work spoke louder than his personal problems. That to me that is the sign of a guy who knew how to deal with the world on some level and give back to it with a great body of work.
