We often think of Flannery O’Connor as a lone genius. But her genius was shaped by a (now) less well-known writer named Caroline Gordon. Christine Flanagan, English professor at the University of the Sciences in Pennsylvania, collected and edited The Letters of Flannery O’Connor and Caroline Gordon. These letters paint a fascinating picture of a skilled and generous mentor pouring into the creative life of a younger writer.
Christine Flanagan is my guest on this week’s episode of The Habit Podcast. This was a fascinating conversation. I commend it to you.
Michael McDonnell
What a great podcast. I am now on a mission to dive into the book under discussion and then everything Caroline Gordon. What a life! It almost felt like echoes of Forest Gump but in the literary world, Oh Thanksgiving with Hemingway? Caroline was there. Robert Lowell in a tent on your front lawn because Ford Maddox Ford in your house? Caroline. The awards, the paradigm shifting advise to Walker Percy ad Flannery before they’re published because she saw talent? Caroline. Such a fascinating episode!
April Pickle
I loved this episode so much, I bought The Letters of Flannery O’Connor and Caroline Gordon. Can’t wait to read it.