William Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1925. During the Second World War, Wharton served in the US army, until an injury led to his discharge. In 1978, Wharton’s first novel, ‘Birdy’, was published to critical acclaim. Before his death in 2008, Wharton penned 8 further novels, and 3 memoirs. The most recent memoir, ‘Shrapnel’, was published for the first time in English in 2012.

'Wonderful' DORIS LESSING 'Will become a classic' PATRICK WHITE 'Most memorable... Wharton is exceptionally gifted' JOHN FOWLES 'It is as good as Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... and perhaps it is better' GUARDIAN

William Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1925. During the Second World War, Wharton served in the US army, until an injury led to his discharge. In 1978, Wharton’s first novel, ‘Birdy’, was published to critical acclaim. Before his death in 2008, Wharton penned 8 further novels, and 3 memoirs. The most recent memoir, ‘Shrapnel’, was published for the first time in English in 2012.

'Wonderful' DORIS LESSING 'Will become a classic' PATRICK WHITE 'Most memorable... Wharton is exceptionally gifted' JOHN FOWLES 'It is as good as Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... and perhaps it is better' GUARDIAN