A Childhood: The Biography of a Place

In his memoir A Childhood, Harry Crews recalls his early years in Bacon County, Georgia, during the Great Depression, describing the poverty, violence, and kinship of the rural South.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

In 1935, Bacon County, Georgia, was already experiencing the harsh effects of the Great Depression, which was gradually spreading across America. However, in this rural community, the impact of the Depression had been felt for years. It was in this unique setting that one of America's most renowned storytellers, Harry Crews, was born in a humble sharecropper's cabin at the end of a dirt road.

"A Childhood" is Crews' memoir, recounting his early years in this particular place and time. The book vividly portrays the hardships and struggles of life in the rural South, including the poor soil, the prevalence of sickness, the ongoing blood feuds, and the belief in faith healers. It also delves into the superstitions and folklore that permeated the community, as well as the occasional glimpses of modernity, such as the shopping catalogues that were a source of fascination for young Crews.

Through his vivid storytelling, Crews offers a profound and poignant portrayal of the rural South. He captures the violence of poverty, the resilience of the human spirit, and the deep bonds of kinship that exist within communities. "A Childhood" is a true American classic, resonating with readers for its honest and unflinching depiction of a bygone era.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780143135333