Nelson Algren: The End is Nothing, the Road is All

Nelson Algren: The End is Nothing, the Road is All is an in-depth documentary of one of America's greatest and least understood authors. This compelling life story reveals a unique literary voice through rare interviews, historic footage and the gritty voice of Algren himself. Kurt Vonnegut and Studs Terkel, literary giants in their own right, sing songs of praise along interviews with Algren scholars provide concise literary, social, and historic perspectives.

Nelson Algren wrote five novels, two collections of short stories, several road books, and countless other stories and reviews. His work spanned six decades and speaks to generations of readers. While his best writing took place over 50 years ago his focus on the fears and disenchantment with our consumer culture were prophetic and still hit the mark today.

Algren's touching love affair with Simone de Beauvoir weaves its way through his life and helps to buffer the damaging impact of FBI and CIA surveillance, blacklisting and the rejection of his work by certain academics. This stylishly produced film embeds us in the 1950's cold war world when Algren worked.

"Compelling, exciting, enlightening."- Chicago Tribune