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Understanding Carson McCullers
The definitive introduction to the complex author of The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
Updated with a discussion of recent scholarship, Understanding Carson McCullers provides a balanced introductory study of the Georgia-born novelist's major fiction and the reasons for her extraordinary and lasting acclaim. Carson McCullers was deemed the "find of the decade" when she appeared on the literary scene at the age of twenty-three and is best remembered for her celebrated novels The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter and The Member of the Wedding. Through Virginia Spencer Carr's insightful discussion and lucid analysis of these and lesser-known works, McCullers is shown here as more than a southern writer, more than a lesbian novelist. McCullers emerges as a complex and multifaceted artist not yet fully comprehended and deserving of more contemplative study and thoughtful understanding.
Updated with a discussion of recent scholarship, Understanding Carson McCullers provides a balanced introductory study of the Georgia-born novelist's major fiction and the reasons for her extraordinary and lasting acclaim. Carson McCullers was deemed the "find of the decade" when she appeared on the literary scene at the age of twenty-three and is best remembered for her celebrated novels The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter and The Member of the Wedding. Through Virginia Spencer Carr's insightful discussion and lucid analysis of these and lesser-known works, McCullers is shown here as more than a southern writer, more than a lesbian novelist. McCullers emerges as a complex and multifaceted artist not yet fully comprehended and deserving of more contemplative study and thoughtful understanding.
181 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1989
27 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Spencer Carr
14 books6 followersVirginia Spencer Carr (July 21, 1929 – April 10, 2012) was an award-winning biographer of Carson McCullers, John Dos Passos and Paul Bowles.
Carr was also a college professor for more than 25 years at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and Georgia State University in Atlanta.
Carr was also a college professor for more than 25 years at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, and Georgia State University in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 23, 2019
After a visit to the Carson McCullers Center (and childhood home) in Columbus and re-reading The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, I wanted to know more about McCullers, the themes in her fiction, her life and other works. This very short book was perfect. It is written by THE biographer and expert on McCullers but is very readable and hits the highlights, not the details. It is a part of a series on major American writers, not really meant for literary scholars but for readers.
June 23, 2021
An informative book on Carson McCullers herself and her work. If you have read all the works of the author, it is enjoyable to read, but if not, you should avoid this book since it includes plot details and such. Besides, I was excepting more complex analyzes and knowledge that sheds light on the author's life.
January 21, 2013
Carr, since she spent so much time writing McCullers' biography, really knows McCullers inside and out. This one is filled with good critical writing necessary for looking at McCullers' writing analytically.
December 31, 2010
Nothing new. And it doesn't really consider the queer aspects of her fiction with justice. And the queer aspects were, like, important.
December 3, 2014
Two stars because I disagreed with just about everything Carr had to say, and it provided excellent fodder for my research paper. Otherwise, I'm not a fan.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews