Synopsis (from back of book): Long before environmental consciousness became popular, a young nature writer named Opal Whitely captured America's heart. Opal's childhood diary, published in 1920, became an immediate bestseller, one of the most talked-about books of its time. Wistful, funny, and wise, it was described by an admirer as "the revelation of the...life of a feminine Peter Pan of the Oregon wilderness--so innocent, so intimate, so haunting, that I should not know where in all literature to look for a counterpart."
But the diary soon fell into disgrace. Condemning it as an adult-written hoax, skeptics stirred a scandal that drove the book into obscurity and shattered the frail spirit of its author.
Discovering the diary by chance, bestselling author Benjamin Hoff set out to solve the longstanding mystery of its origin. His biography of Opal that accompanies the diary provides fascinating proof that the document is indeed authentic--the work of a magically gifted child, America's forgotten interpreter of nature.
Review: This is a book within a book. Hoff chronicles how he discovered the diary and then he goes on to write a biography of Opal. He lays down a convincing argument that the diary was written by a 6-7 year-old child. He then includes Opal's diary, editing portions of it for clarity, and includes an afterward that explains Opal's last years of life.
Opal loves the natural world and feels more comfortable with her woodland friends then she does with the people who comprise her life. She comes across as a very bright, very misunderstood child. Her writing is quirky, but delightful, as an example: "When I went by the barn, I saw a mouse run around the corner, and a graceful bat came neat unto the barn door. I got the milk. It was near dark-time, so I came again home by the lane, and along the corduroy road. When I got most home, I happened to remember the mamma wanted the milk in a hurry, so I began to hurry.
I don't think I'll print more tonight. I printed this sitting on the wood-box, where the mamma put me after she spanked me, after I got home with the milk. Now I think I shall go out the bedroom window and talk to the stars. They always smile so friendly. This is a very wonderful world to live in." page 107
Originally her written words were all done in capital letters, no spaces between words and no punctuation. This was a self-taught child, an early reader that did not receive much guidance or support for her learning. There is a description of her as "soaking up learning like a sponge." I have a daughter like this. Maybe I feel an affinity for this child, perhaps this is the reason I was so caught up in the story about Opal and the inner workings of her mind.
I attended a folk concert where folksinger, Ann Hills, has taken portions of the diary and set Opal's words to music. As Ann was giving us some info about Opal it set me to thinking that in today's world Opal would be given a diagnosis of Aspergers and/or childhood schizophrenia. But Opal was born in 1897 in poor circumstances. Anyone different was scorned in her day. Even if she had lived today and was given a diagnosis, I'm not sure it would have changed the outcome of her life. Placing a diagnosis on someone can be beneficial in providing supports and services, but those very supports and services can sometimes create a 'box' that the individual has to fit into.
I appreciate the work Hoff has done to bring the writings of Opal Whitely into the collective consciousness. Our technologically rich society can separate us from the beauty of our surroundings--if we let it. Thumbs up.
Nancy
