Wheelchair - bound in his 80s and saddened by the death of Austen and many peers and close friends , the impious author still looked to no existence beyond this one .
But age and illness did not bring Vidal closer to God .
Wheelchair - bound in Vidal 's 80s and saddened by the death of Austen and many peers and close friends , the impious author still looked to no existence beyond this one .
But age and illness did not bring Vidal closer to God .