Let's face it: Growing up is hard to do. But where would we be without the aide of some of the greatest coming-of-age fiction writers in history?
This is a short list of the authors who most inspired and challenged me personally during the adolescent years, as well as who I believe to be some of the greatest female contributors to that genre.
- I have to begin with the Contemporary Queen, herself: J.K. Rowling. I grew up WITH the Harry Potter characters. They are friends. They are relatives. And the seven book series is all kinds of inspiring for anyone who deals with anything less fierce than, say, a dragon, in the midst of adolescence. Her artistry for capturing a wide-range of teenage issues and throwing them against a backdrop of wild imagination with mind-bending attention to detail is unparalleled in coming-of-age fiction. Her delineation of Potter’s (and friends) journey to adulthood is both poignant and empowering.
I love this interview with Rowling from 1998.
Spoiler alert: Who knew that Hogwarts was in SCOTLAND?
2. My number two author would have to be Madeleine L’Engle. From my personal reading of the A Wrinkle in Time series to A Ring of Endless Light, I can see that L’Engle does an amazing job of capturing the insecurities and challenges of youth and the events that shape and transform us into adults, no matter what planet we are on. I can't wait to share Meg Murry with my daughters and expand my own reading of her vast repertoire of both prose and poetry.
An excerpt from her poem, "To a Long-Loved Love"
(i)
We, who have seen the new moon grow old together,
Who have seen winter rime the fields and stones
As though it would claim earth and water forever
3. The author of The Outsiders, Susan Eloise Hinton, will always hold a special place in my heart. This gut-wrenching story is set in Oklahoma, and was published in 1967. The story was actually inspired by rival gangs in Hinton’s school, Will Rogers High School of Tulsa, Oklahoma. I personally remember being shaken, torn, pierced, and utterly changed by the narrative when I first read it in middle school. The poetry, tenderness, and fraternal love are juxtaposed against the bitter frustration, violence, and depravity of the main characters and the society in which they live. It will have you shouting inside, “They are JUST KIDS!” Being an adolescent is tough, no matter who you are or in what conditions you are raised- or whether you are a "Soc" or a "Greaser". But Hinton’s story will take you to extremes, shape you into a more empathetic soul, and make you thankful for the adolescence you were given.
Coming-of-age is just one theme that is explored in my newly released ebook, Wolves and Men. We are blessed to be able to offer the ebook at a temporarily, wonderfully low price of $4.99, so take advantage of it now. :)
You can download your copy here: http://amzn.com/B00MV4UXMS
You can also sign up for email updates so that you'll be alerted as soon as the novel is released in paperback! Just find the box in the top right hand corner of this blog. :)
...
What do you think of Rowling's interview?
What would you ask these authors if you could ask them anything?
Which characters did you most identify with during adolescence?
I gotta say I never saw The Outsider's in your hands growing up. I was probably running and working like crazy during that era of your life! -Mom
ReplyDeleteIt was a quick, homework read. But it "stayed with me," as they say. ;) I would never hold you responsible for noticing every book that went through my hands growing up! I can hardly keep up with Evie. One day she has a theology book that she spends half an hour poring over, and the next it's a spanish language dictionary she won't put down all day. I am continually surprised by her ever-expanding interests! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Natasha!! The Outsiders had such an impact on me when I was in high school. You said it best when you said, "it stayed with me." Maybe it's not entirely true that "Nothing gold can stay." :D
ReplyDeleteThank you! I often first think of that quote and see images of the film version when I think of The Outsiders. It's an interesting statement, perhaps true for everyone...except the believer? Either way, it challenges me to be thankful for the "gold" I find in today, to appreciate the temporal beauty of every golden moment and accept that life is a thing in motion. :)
Delete