Synopses & Reviews
From one of America's most esteemed men of letters comes a new and vivid recounting of life in the American South. Not since Reynolds Price's award-winning, bestselling novel "Kate Vaiden" has he told a woman's story in her own voice. "Roxanna Slade" is this woman.
Roxanna begins her story on her twentieth birthday-- a day that introduces her to the harsh realities of adulthood and changes the course of her life forever. From this day on, Roxanna is quick to share with the reader the intimate details of ninety years of life in North Carolina. While she rarely leaves the small town of her youth, Roxanna's vision of the world is shaped by intense passions and loyalties and the certain tragedies of a life long lived.
"Roxanna Slade" is a sweet-and-keen-tongued tale-teller. And her beguiling tale is one that boldly reflects the high and low moments in the development of the modern South and the nation as well as the inner strength of a woman possessed of a piercingly clear vision, forthright hungers and immense vitality.
About the Author
Reynolds Price was born in Macon, North Carolina in 1933, Educated in the public schools of his native state, he earned an A.B.
summa cum laude from Duke University. In 1955 he traveled as a Rhodes Scholar to Merton College, Oxford University to study English Literature. After three years and a B.Litt. degree, he returned to Duke where he continues teaching as James B. Duke Professor of English.
With his novel A Long and Happy Life in 1962, he began a career that has resulted in numerous volumes of fiction, poetry, plays, essays and memoirs, including Kate Vaiden, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and his work has appeared in sixteen languages.