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 [email protected] 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!
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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 [email protected].
2001 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
