The Inspirational Journey of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings - The Author Behind the Masterpiece "The Yearling"

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, an American author renowned for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Yearling," had an extraordinary life filled with adventure, struggles, and triumphs. Delve into her captivating biography, and explore the fascinating journey that shaped her into one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century.

Early Years and Passion for Nature

Born on August 8, 1896, in Washington D.C., Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings grew up with a deep appreciation for nature and the great outdoors. Spending her formative years in rural Florida, she developed a profound connection with its natural beauty, which would later become a recurring theme in her literary works.

The Life She Wished to Live: A Biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of The Yearling

by Ann McCutchan (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34974 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	436 pages

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Rawlings' love for writing blossomed during her teenage years, as she often documented her observations of the enchanting flora and fauna that surrounded her family's farm. Her meticulous attention to detail and ability to transport readers into the heart of nature would become defining characteristics of her writing style.

The Journey to "The Yearling"

After completing her education, Rawlings embarked on a journey that took her across the United States and even to Europe. She worked as a reporter, consistently polishing her writing skills, and gaining valuable insights and inspiration for her future literary endeavors.

However, it was Rawlings' move to rural Cross Creek, Florida, in 1928 that truly transformed her writing career. Embracing the simple, yet challenging, life of a homesteader in a remote farming community, she yearned to capture the essence of Florida's rural culture and the struggles of its inhabitants.

During her time in Cross Creek, Rawlings meticulously observed the lives of the locals and developed deep connections with the community. These experiences laid the foundation for her masterpiece, "The Yearling." The novel, published in 1938, tells the heart-wrenching story of a young boy's bond with his pet deer and the harsh realities of life in the Florida backwoods.

Reception and Global Acclaim

Upon its release, "The Yearling" quickly captivated readers worldwide with its vivid portrayal of nature, the complex relationship between humans and the wilderness, and the harsh realities of survival in rural America. Rawlings skillfully crafted a story that resonated with readers from all walks of life.

The novel became an instant bestseller, captivating critics and readers alike. In 1939, Rawlings was honored with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, solidifying her status as one of America's foremost authors of the time. "The Yearling" was also adapted into a successful film, further cementing Rawlings' impact in the literary world.

Later Years and Legacy

Following the success of "The Yearling," Rawlings continued to write and publish several other novels, essays, and short stories. She explored various themes but remained steadfast in her commitment to depicting the beauty and challenges of rural life.

Tragically, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings passed away on December 14, 1953. However, her legacy endures through her captivating works and her influence on subsequent generations of writers. Her ability to craft stories that transport readers into the heart of nature and the human experience remains unmatched.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, a remarkable author blessed with a deep bond with nature, left an indelible mark on the literary world with her masterpiece "The Yearling." Through her meticulous observations and vivid storytelling, she managed to capture the essence of rural life and the complexities of the human experience like few others.

Rawlings' timeless works continue to inspire and enchant readers around the globe, ensuring that her name and extraordinary talent will live on for generations to come.

Keywords: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings biography, Author of The Yearling, Pulitzer Prize, The Yearling novel, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings life, rural Florida, capturing the essence of nature

The Life She Wished to Live: A Biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of The Yearling

by Ann McCutchan (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34974 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	436 pages

FREE

A comprehensive and engaging biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of the beloved classic The Yearling.

Washington, DC, born and Wisconsin educated, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was an unlikely author of a coming-of-age novel about a poor central Florida child and his pet fawn—much less one that has become synonymous with Florida literature writ large.

Rawlings was a tough, ambitious, and independent woman who refused the conventions of her early-twentieth-century upbringing. Determined to forge a literary career beyond those limitations, she found her voice in the remote, hardscrabble life of Cross Creek, Florida. There, Rawlings purchased a commercial orange grove and discovered a fascinating world out of which to write—and a dialect of the poor, swampland community that the literary world had yet to hear. She employed her sensitive eye, sharp ear for dialogue, and philosophical spirit to bring to life this unknown corner of America in vivid, tender detail, a feat that earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 1938. Her accomplishments came at a price: a failed first marriage, financial instability, a contentious libel suit, alcoholism, and physical and emotional upheaval.

With intimate access to Rawlings’s correspondence and revealing early writings, Ann McCutchan uncovers a larger-than-life woman who writes passionately and with verve, whose emotions change on a dime, and who drinks to excess, smokes, swears, and even occasionally joins in on an alligator hunt. The Life She Wished to Live paints a lively portrait of Rawlings, her contemporaries—including her legendary editor, Maxwell Perkins, and friends Zora Neale Hurston, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald—and the Florida landscape and people that inspired her.