Flannery O'Connor: A Biography

Despite her early death from lupus at 39, Flannery O'Connor has left a remarkable literary legacy. Written for high school students and undergraduates, this biography is a concise, accessible overview of O'Connor's life and achievements. Included are chapters on her youth and early literary career, the decline of her health and her return to her hometown, her maturation as an author, her identity as a Southern writer, and her final years. The volume also provides a timeline and closes with a bibliography of books, articles, and electronic sources for student research.

Despite her early death from lupus at 39, Flannery O'Connor has left a remarkable literary legacy. She emerged as one of America's most controversial, misunderstood, and promising young writers. Though she published only two novels, a collection of short stories, and various other prose works, she forcefully conveyed her Catholicism to a wide audience. She frequently created grotesque Southern characters, depicted violent situations, and wrote with acerbic wit. This biography discusses her fascinating life and literary career.

Written especially for high school students and undergraduates, this volume is a concise and accessible guide to O'Connor's achievements. Included are chapters on her youth and early works, the decline of her health and her return to her hometown, her maturation as an author, her identity as a Southern writer, and her final years. The volume also presents a timeline and bibliography of books, articles, and electronic sources for student research.


About the Author
Melissa Simpson is a writing instructor at Hendrix College. She has previously published articles on Toni Morrison, Pat Conroy, and Robert Frost.