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'A Life of Letters and Rivers' offers new look at famed Chicago writer

Rebecca McCarthy and book
University of Washington Press/Clara McCarthy courtesy of Rebecca McCarthy

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A new book looks at the life and letters of a famed Chicago writer — and how one White Sox game turned tragic decades ago.

Rebecca McCarthy is the author of, "Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers." Many recall Maclean because his semi-autobiographical book, "A River Runs Through It," was made into a movie starring Brad Pitt.


McCarthy, though, said neither the movie nor Maclean's book tell the true story of the death of Pitt's character, Paul Maclean, who actually met his end in Chicago in 1938.

"He went to see the White Sox play, I think they played the Indians, with his girlfriend at the time," McCarthy said. "They stopped at a tavern, and then they came back, and he dropped her off at her apartment. He lived south of the Midway … and then he was spotted drinking … and he got into a scuffle with some guys in a car."

McCarthy said authorities never figured out who killed him or why he was killed.

"Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers" is now available.

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