Lee Smith, Annie Dillard, and the Hollins Group: A Genesis of Writers

by Nancy Parish and Nancy C. Parrish

Book Overview

By the late 1950s Hollins College had established itself as a nationally competitive academic institution. With the emergence of Louis D. Rubin, Jr.'s writing program, this southern women's school... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807124346
• ISBN13: 9780807124345
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Louisiana State University Press
• Length: 234 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Parrish is detailed and delightfully creative.

Parrish impresses her reader with not only the grasp and knowledge of her material, but with also a certain spice that is often missing in non-fiction. Through her vivid descriptions, the reader is immersed in the Hollins culture. This is most definitely a must for the Dillard and Smith fan, but even more so a must for the reader who enjoys exquisite writing.

Interesting biographical details on Smith and Dillard.

The author provides an historical overview of the development of private Southern women's schools from finishing schools to respected institutions of higher learning. Primary in this change at Hollins is the influence of Louis Rubin on both the writing program and the writers that program produced, with many quotes from the students about their mentor. Parrish also gives many humorous and interesting anecdotes about Lee Smith, Annie Dillard and the other subjects of the book during their formative years at Hollins. She shows how their college experiences carried over to their writing both then and through the years since graduation. For Lee Smith and Annie Dillard fans, this book is a must-read.