Review Summaries

• It is valued as a careful biography that broadens understanding of the writer, with strength in both literary analysis and life narrative.

Reviews

• An important and historical look at a talented author in less than ideal times for female writers

  Anyone with an interest in 20th century fiction, particularly of the psychological thriller needs to read this beautiful (and dense- but in a good way) life of Shirley Jackson. She needs to take her place with icons as Poe, James, and King and join these authors on a Mt Rushmore of great American novelists. Oh and anyone who has an interest in the rise of mid-20th century feminism needs to read it as well. While Betty Friedan dismissed Jackson's contribution, others did not. Franklin's excellent writing merges the two and we really do see 'a haunted life'. Those of us of a certain age were first introduced to Jackson trough her genre busting, post WWII euphoria, this is the best time ever, by reading The Lottery. This short story, published by The New Yorker in 1949 caused such a row that subscriptions were cancelled and hate letters sent to Jackson herself. The fact it has become a standard in Lit classes is retribution, but you wouldn't know it at the time. Franklin goes into meticulous detail about Jackson's life and is completely honest about the personal demons Jackson fought throughout that life. Her marriage to the pompous blowhard, egotistical, New Yorker literary critic Stanley Hyman and the circle of authors they associated themselves with reads like a next generation Algonquin Round Table. Bound by the constraints of the times that even ooze into today, Jackson was 'punished' for her no BS approach to storytelling and even for the simple fact she refused to change her name and saw it as an insult when neighbors in their small New England town would refer to her as Mrs. Stanley Hyman Jackson's work is categorized in the thriller vein, but looking closer you see women coping with their struggles to maintain an identity when the times demand women do the opposite to maintain the American way of life. Even her "novel" "Life among the Savages" is a thinly veiled tome on what was expected of the 20th century woman. Kudos to author Ruth Franklin for taking a what appears to be a straightforward biographical approach and turning it over, under, sideways, down and tilts the mirror to reflect in detail not only Jackson's immense talent but also our social history. I was delighted, infuriated, saddened and fortunate to read this book. A great author makes a reader feel all of that. So, Franklin like Jackson can stand tall. Mission Accomplished.

• Engaging, informative and readable

  This is an excellent overview of Jackson's life and work, giving background context from a family, publisher and work-life balance point of view. Each chapter follows the evolution of her writing career and is highly readable and informative. Jackson was a great writer and this biography gives a good sense of the difficulties that lay behind her achievements.

• Great biography!

  Great and well researched biography about one of America's foremost novelists and short story-writers. Also beautifully edited.

• Five Stars

  Masterful bio of an amazing writer.

• Great book

  What a great book! I learned so much about one of my favorite authors.

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