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Topic: Any biographies of Betty?

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Last Reply: Dec 06, 2013 3:06 AM

AnneW

Joined: May, 2012

Location: Baltimore

Occupation: Retired

May 06, 2012, 10:26 AM

5269

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?

Suz

Joined: Dec, 2007

Location: Pacific Northwest

May 06, 2012, 1:53 PM

5270

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.

AnneW

Joined: May, 2012

Location: Baltimore

Occupation: Retired

May 07, 2012, 9:08 AM	5271
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.

johnftwa48in

Joined: Feb, 2005

Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

May 11, 2012, 7:04 PM

5272

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

AnneW

Joined: May, 2012

Location: Baltimore

Occupation: Retired

May 16, 2012, 3:31 AM	5273
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.

debbies

Joined: Jul, 2005

Location: Northern California

Occupation: Online Sales & More!

Jun 02, 2012, 7:21 PM	5278
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!

andreamellis

Joined: Dec, 2013

Dec 02, 2013, 7:12 AM	5351
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.

Suz

Joined: Dec, 2007

Location: Pacific Northwest

Dec 02, 2013, 1:41 PM

5352

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.

AnneW

Joined: May, 2012

Location: Baltimore

Occupation: Retired

Dec 04, 2013, 2:54 AM	5353
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.

Suz

Joined: Dec, 2007

Location: Pacific Northwest

Dec 05, 2013, 1:04 PM	5354
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.

AnneW

Joined: May, 2012

Location: Baltimore

Occupation: Retired

Dec 06, 2013, 3:06 AM	5355
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.

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