Hello all - I'm a new member in the UK (and a very old fan). I've often wondered if a biography has ever been written about Betty. Although of course her life is well covered in her books, until I found this site I never had any answers to all my questions about how true it all was and what happened next. I can see so many interesting details coming up here that I'm really thinking about putting it all together into a good biography. Any comments?
Welcome, Anne. I do not believe any comprehensive biography has ever been written about Betty, but there have been a number of articles written about her over the years. John and Debbie are the two most knowledgeable people on this site, in my opinion, and have reams of information about her. They might be of some assistance in your effort. I'm glad you are a fan. I've tried over the years to interest people in Betty's work, with some success, but I think that as time goes on, her fan base is shrinking, not growing. This bothers me, as I think she was/is underappreciated as a writer with real skill in the craft. She was a good storyteller as well, but writing and storytelling are not the same thing.
Hi Suz - thanks for getting back. I certainly agree with you that Betty was a great writer. But not only that; she seems to inspire in people the same devotion as, currently, Anne Tyler. It's a shame she's hardly read any more. Perhaps a biography wopuld reawaken interest. I would definitely look to John and Debbie for help if this ever gets off the ground.
Hi Anne W., welcome to the forum. I hope that we will beable to answer all your Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard questions. As of this writing no known, authorized,biography of Betty is in the works. Howerever, if there is ANYTHING you would like to know about Betty or, her sister, Mary Bard Please, feel free to email me at jcrawford@bettymacdonald.net and I will be happy to help you, and if I don't have the answer my friend Debbie is always free to help those wanting to know more about Betty. Again, welcome to the group. John
John (and Debbie), many thanks. There's a wealth of new information to me on this site already but if I take this on there will definitely be many questions to come. Your help and advice will be greatly appreciated.
We all have shared and "weeded out," as necessary! So feel free to ask, Anne. Chances are one of us knows the answer to any question your might have about our favorite author!
As a life-long fan of Betty MacDonald I am happy to have found and signed on to this site! One question: does anyone have an idea what became of Kimi, Betty's roommate at the Sanatorium in "The Plague and I?" I often wondered if she and her family were interned in the war.
Andrea, welcome! Kimi's name was Monica Sone. She passed away September 5, 2011. Yes, she and her family were taken to an internment camp; first in Puyallup, Washington, and then in Idaho. Monica went to college and graduated with a degree in clinical psychology. She wrote a wonderful book, "Nisei Daughter" about her childhood, her family's internment, and her time at Firland. It's available on this website as well as on Amazon.
Hi all,
Still pursuing my dream of writing a biography of Betty. Does anyone have any letters, or know of someone who does? I'm aware of the letter to Hazel on this site, and have copies of three more (14 Feb 1946, 26 Jan 1956 and 2 July 1956. Grateful for any information.
Anne, perhaps John Crawford will respond to you. He is the expert on all things Betty and has much primary source material, but he is also very protective of Betty's family and careful what he shares and with whom.
Thanks Suz, I will hope that John replies. I am glad to hear that John is protective of the family - I feel the same. I am seeking their permission to quote from Betty's books and letters via publishers.