|
The Classics
Corner Bids Fond Adieu . . . to Yieu and Yiew and You
by
Richard H. Cracroft
Editors'
Note: Much to our sadness and loss we have to give in to Richard
Cracroft's desire to go on with his life. We have known and admired
him for many years and have been trying to carefully plan his retirement
so it would include an ongoing column for Meridian (we haven't completely
given up yet). We ask the Lord's choicest blessings to be upon Richard
and Janice in their "new and relaxed" life.
It's time to
go! Since last October, I've enjoyed sharing lists of good books
with you-lists of classic LDS biography, history, and novels; and
lists of British, American, and World classics-all with the idea
of selecting books for possible giving or inclusion in your personal
libraries. I've heard from many of you and made some new acquaintances
(and renewed some older ones) among a large number of Meridian
readers.
It has been
a pleasure for me. But, at the end of spring term at BYU, I'm retiring,
after 41 years of teaching English at the University of Utah, the
University of Wisconsin, and Brigham Young University. And I'm going
to be very busy in the transition to arm-chair sedentariness. Of
course, I intend to keep on reading, night and day, until the Telestial
freezes over-indeed, I've told my Janice to equip my (plush) coffin
with a reading lamp, plenty of batteries, a supply of selected books
(including the standard works-and Walden, of course), and
plenty of soda crackers and peanut butter, so that I can await the
trump of the First Resurrection with patience and aplomb, and in
accustomed style.
I know, I know,
each of you will have your own favorite things and books in those
coffins-my brother-in-law, Jack White, recently took with him a
handful of golf balls-his passion; and my old and long-ago deceased
friend Eric Pollei used to have the latest issue of Reader's
Digest with him at all times-he even read it on the stand as
ward clerk of the East 27th Ward-and planned to have
his subscription renewed through Judgment Day, after which he still
wanted the Digest, but printed on asbestos paper-he planned
on being informed and up-to-date, even, lo, in Eternity.
At any rate,
it has been a pleasure to visit with you about Books (that word,
Books, pronounced reverently, tenderly, yet powerfully, and
lingering and wistfully on the tongue). I hope you've enjoyed our
visits as much as I have.
Readers
Amend and Improve Classic LDS Novels List
A number of
readers have responded to my invitation to expand my May selection
of "Classic LDS Novels (at Least I Think So)." I have listed them
below, with dates, when I could find them, and included some brief
comments by the nominators and, in some instances, me. In addition
to the annotated suggestions from individuals identified in brackets
[ ], I was pleased to receive some welcome insights about personal
experiences with LDS novels from Shareen L. Touchet, Mary Bliss
Hassell, Andre Mostert, and my friend Davis Bitton (one of the top
Mormon historians). In addition, Chad Stowell shared with me, his
own list of "The Top 5 Church History Books," which I herewith pass
along (the titles as he worded them):
1. Orson F.
Whitney, The Life of Heber C. Kimball;
2. George Q.
Cannon, The Life of Joseph Smith;
3. Joseph Fielding
Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith;
4. Parley P.
Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt;
5. Mathias F.
Cowley, Wilford Woodruff.
Here is the
list of LDS Novels which readers felt should be added to my list
of Classics; I admit that I have not read some of these, but I am
happy to pass along the recommendations:
Bailey, Paul,
For Time and All Eternity (1964)-a novel about a rebellious
young Mormon girl in American Fork who marries the dashing gentile
soldier-only to have him convert to Mormonism and become a polygamist.
[Gayle Christensen]
Barkdull, Larry,
"Zion": Seeking the City of Enoch; "Zion": The Long Road to
Sanctification are "incredible," writes Andrew Sandoval. "They
make normal 'enjoyment reading' seem trivial and almost irresponsible,
and t hey intensify the desire to strengthen and build our Zion."
[Andrew Sandoval] But are they novels?
Blackwell,
Pam, Ephraim's Seed; Jacob's Cauldron-LDS adventure
stories of the Last Days before the advent of the Millennium-when
the government "hangs by a thread.".[Lynn Winders]
Card, Orson
Scott, Stone Tables. Card's powerful rendering of the story
of Moses. [Roger Harris]
Carter, Ron,
Prelude to Glory series. The well-told story of the founding
of the American Republic as a necessary prelude to the Restoration.
I overlooked these fine volumes, sorry. [Roger Harris]
Glenn, Sharlee,
Circle Dance (1999). One of the best Mormon novels in the
past decade-the beautiful story of a Mormon girl and her relationship
with a Native American boy. Read this good book-which I simply overlooked
on my list. [Cracroft]
Harker, Herbert,
Turn Again Home. A well-written story of the haunting effects
of guilt on one of the participants in the Mountain Meadow massacre.
One of those novels which came and went without much notice but
which deserves republishing and a new audience. [Davis Bitton]
Hunter, Rodollo,
Papa Married a Mormon; House of Many Rooms. Two
nationally published memoirs on Mormon life-with a twist. "It isn't
always the most flattering portrait of Mormons or more specifically,
priesthood holders, but it is very true to life in her descriptions
of her dealings with her grandfather and the activities in a Utah
ward. . . . These are out of print but very enjoyable"[Cindy Mizer]
Jarvis, Sharon,
The Kaleidoscope Season. A beautifully told story of a
southern girl, life in the South, and conversion to Mormonism-with
a fleeting, but wonderfully affirming life-after-death experience.
I've taught this to Mormon lit students-with great approval. I overlooked
citing this important novel. "I love her books!"writes Jill Poppitz.
"They are a real delight and ones I have read and reread-part of
your criteria specified for a 'classic.' They have touched me in
a way that few LDS fiction books have." [Jill Poppitz]
Jarvis, Sharon,
The Healing Place-about a young woman who wants to find
a place where she can hide from life's disappointments, only to
find that her hiding place is full of people to love and to be loved
by. "Both [Jarvis] books, beautifully written, give insights into
the conversion process. I love these books!!! I keep looking for
another book to come from this author. Would appreciate any information
that could be provided on whether the author is still writing."[Jill
Poppitz: Note to my friend Sharon Jarvis: Contact Jill at garypz@home.com
and give her an update. RHC]
Kirby, Robert,
Dark Angel (1992; reprinted 1999)-is another novel which
I inadvertently overlooked. It's a wonderful adventure story of
a Mormon girl in a polygamous family on the early Utah frontier.
I recommend it highly, as does [Gayle Christensen].
Lauritzen,
Jonreed, The Everlasting Fire (1962), The story of a non-believer
brought to the Church by his children-"a bold and perceptive novel
relating the persecution of the Mormons at Nauvoo, the death of
the Prophet Joseph Smith, the accession of Brigham Young, and the
migration of the Saints toward the west"(Book Review Digest).[Robert
Greer]
Newman, Marsha,
The Lightning and the Storm; A Love Beyond Time,
and Fire and Glory: The Millennial Story. A series which
begins in Nauvoo and ends with the beginning of the Millennium.
[Lynn Winders]
Ogzewalla,
Lynn C. The Miracle Man: The Lazarus Chronicles (Cedar
Fort Publishers): "I read [this] book around Easter time. . . .
I got to the last page and went straight to the first for a second
reading. I hope he writes more." [Caroline Deschenes . . . an avid
reader of LDS literature]
Stansfield,
Anita, " I really enjoy the novels by Anita Stansfield and wonder
why none of her books were included in the list . . .? Her characters
have trials and tribulations and suffer for their sins. Also, I
believe they can help teach how to overcome our own hang-ups."[Carol
Gilbert] Carol mentions no specific titles. Certainly, Stansfield
is one of the most popular writers of LDS romance novels. I'm sorry
I overlooked her.
Yates, Alma,
No More Strangers [Roger Harris]. Yates has some faithful readers
out there!
* * * * * *
* *
Ordering
Copies of the David O. McKay Student Essays
Every year
since 1986, The Center for the Study of Christian Values at BYU
has published a volume including the winners of the annual student
essay contest in honor of President David O. McKay. The name of
the contest is also the name of the annual: The Restored Gospel
and Applied Christianity: Student Essays in Honor of President David
O. McKay. Each volume contains eleven or twelve essays, in
both undergraduate and graduate divisions. The 2001 issue is now
available. You may purchase a copy for $5.50, postpaid, by sending
a check or credit card information to:
Jesse S. Crisler,
Director
Christian Values Center
3076E Jesse Knight Humanities Building (JKHB)
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
If you wish
any of the back issues, 1986-2000, simply add $5 for each additional
issue desired.
The David O.
McKay Essay Contest, open to all currently enrolled students at
BYU or BYU-Hawaii, is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Christian
Values in Literature and the Religion Studies Center at BYU, and
is funded by the O.C. Tanner Foundation. First Prize, in both graduate
and undergraduate divisions, earns $1500. The deadline is December
1, each year. Further information can be obtained at Jesse_Crisler@byu.edu.
Click
here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.
© 2001 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
|
