William Hoffman (author)

William Hoffman (1925 – 2009) was an American author primarily known for his novels and short stories depicting life in the rural South, particularly Appalachia. Born in Spencer, West Virginia, Hoffman served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop.

His work often explored themes of poverty, violence, family, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Hoffman's writing style was characterized by its realism, its use of regional dialect, and its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities faced by his characters.

Notable works include the novels A Walk to the River (1970), The Hollow (1974), Godfires (1985), and Tidewater Blood (1998). He also published several collections of short stories, including Virginia Reels (1978). Hoffman received numerous awards and honors for his writing, solidifying his place as a significant voice in Southern literature. His body of work provides a complex and often bleak, but ultimately compassionate, view of a specific region and its people.