Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: Sojourner at Cross Creek

by Elizabeth Silverthorne

Rich with detail and anecdote, illustrated with beautiful black-and-white photographs, this is the first full-length biography of writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. 25 photos.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

374 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there were a few minor factual errors and timeline confusions that I picked up on from my reviews of the archives, this is a beautifully written narrative that made me fall in love with Rawlings all over again. The number of people whose lives she touched while also accomplishing so much as a writer is inspiring. Silverthorne had me in tears at the end when she described both Cabell and Baskin's final thoughts on the woman they loved. Sigh.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and researched literary biography of the Yankee who made the Scrub of FL her heart's home. I have visited Cross Creek and was able to visualize MKR's life there and at her beach cottage south of St Augustine. It was interesting to read about her literary friendships with a pantheon of writers -- Robert Frost, Hemingway, Ellen Glasgow, Fitgerald, Zora Neale Hurston -- and her close working friendship with legendary editor Max Perkins. Reading The Yearling, I was astounded at the descriptions of the FL land and inhabitants; this biography showed me the way MKR rooted herself in her environment in order to produce that classic. The story that became The Yearling was actually one related to her by a Cracker neighbor. I also learned about the author's social activism and her support for civil rights before the movement became a call to action.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silverhorne writes an extensive and interesting autobiography on one of the world’s most brilliant writers of the the 21st century. There’s not a moment I was bored or not captivated by this talented woman’s life. From her narrative of Rawlings life, you realize how much she gave to the literary world and the remarkable friendships she cultivated from her writing. She lived the most of her 57 years that only a rare and gifted breed are fortunate to do. I am thankful this author took the time and dedication to celebrate this beautiful author.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings life. I'll have to track down more of her books.

Here's my Swampy's Florida podcast of my book review:
https://anchor.fm/swampysflorida/epis...

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 9 out of 10 points.

[Shelly Nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I visited MKR’s home in Florida, I wanted to read this book. Her life in the scrub is worthy of a book. I felt she wrote of too many mundane things that it bored me at times.