Idella: Marjorie Rawlings' Perfect Maid

by Idella Parker

"A warmhearted and insightful tribute to the author of Cross Creek and The Yearling , and it’s the story of Parker herself, a tough-minded Floridian devoted to her family. A charming book."-- ALA Booklist Idella Parker’s recollections of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings are as intimate and frank as their ten years together. This long-awaited memoir, by the black woman who was cook, housekeeper, and comfort to the famous author from 1940 to 1950, tells two stories--one of their spirited friendship, the other of race relations in rural Florida in the days before integration.

 By turns kind and generous, moody and depressed, the Pulitzer Prize winning author emerges as a woman of contrasts--someone with "few friends and many visitors . . . who seldom smiled." Idella’s own life is part of this memoir, too, as she describes her courtship and marriage, her family lineage back to Nat Turner, and what it was life to grow up in a segregated society.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

156 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1992

Reviews

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for those who want to better understand Marjorie Rawlings and Florida in the 1930s-40s.

Here is the second Swampy's Florida: Man-in-the-Swamp Book Review.
Saves a ton of typing!

Here is it.
https://anchor.fm/swampysflorida/epis...

Bottom line:
I recommend this book. 8 out of ten points. (less)

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is no secret among those who know me that Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings is one of my literary heroes. That being said, I know enough about her to understand that her life and personality were complex. This autobiography is exactly what I needed to still hold deep love in my heart for my favorite American author, want to hug some of her hurt away, and want to scold her for a few of her choices. But then, the same thing could be said of all of us, couldn't it? Idella is a warm and wonderful writer who offers an accurate portrayal of someone famous while still protecting the confidential information shared during their friendship and I truly appreciate this work. And since all of the places described in the book are near to the area I consider home, this is especially fascinating.

"When Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings drove into my yard in Reddick, Florida, on a hot, dusty September afternoon in 1940, I was expecting somebody else altogether. In fact, you might say I met Mrs. Rawlings and went to work for her at Cross Creek because of a mistake. But when something changes your life, the way meeting her changes mine, it's no mistake. It was most likely the good Lord looking out for me, and maybe looking out for her too."

"Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Baskin was a remarkable woman, full of contrasts. She was a strong woman, but she had many weaknesses. She was a very independent woman, but she loved to have things done for her. She was known for her wit, yet she seldom smiled. She cared deeply for others and very little about her own comfort, yet she could also be thoughtless. She loved to write and create books, but each one was difficult and took an enormous toll on her."

"She was a good, kind woman who never meant anyone any harm. The person she hurt the most was herself. Our relationship was a close one, but it was one that often felt burdensome to me. Still, I did my best to protect her and help her. I loved her then, and I love her still, but what could I do? A person gets weary carrying another person's misery and woe, and gradually I was beginning to feel that I could not carry Mrs. Baskin's much longer."

"In the end, I chose to take Mrs. Rawlings to a different church than my own. Mrs. Rawlings was the only white person there. She beamed at the people around her as we took our seats, but few smiled back. They looked at me with suspicion in their eyes, as if to ask why on earth I had a white lady with me. They knew me, and they knew I was in the wrong church. Mrs. Rawlings was oblivious to the cool reception we were both getting.
There was scripture reading and singing and some mighty preaching that night, and soon the congregation forgot their visitors and got into the spirit of the service. They started clapping and stomping and dancing and shouting. The room got hotter and hotter, and the singing and praising got louder and louder. I looked over at Mrs. Rawlings, and there she was, just patting her hands together, swaying to the music, and smiling away at everyone around her. She was having herself a time!
As the service heated up, drums began to pound and people were shouting and singing, and I guess the whiskey told her to shout and sing, too, and she did.
When the plate was passed, she dropped in a generous offering, and a few people around us started nodding at her a little, in approval. The spirit was strong in that little church that night, and Mrs. Rawlings was smiling and tapping her feet to the music all the way home.
After the evening at the Sanctified Church, I was always more careful about polite invitations."

"Mrs. Rawlings never minded giving money or whatever to anyone she thought really needed it. But she never cared much about buying things for herself, not like some rich folks. She seemed to take more pleasure in giving to others and was generous and kind as she could be. If she saw my blouse was getting worn, she'd give me the car keys and some money and tell me to go to Wilson's in Gainesville and buy a new blouse, never thinking to get something new for herself. She was always thinking of other people, with little regard for herself."

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent, slim memoir by the maid of famous author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings ("The Yearling," "Cross Creek"). Idella is black, Marjorie was white, and their story begins in Florida in 1940, long before Civil Rights progress changed life for the better. Idella Parker with help from co-author Mary Keating does a fine job of evoking black life in the American south, working class life, and her own interesting life story, as she works as a maid and stellar cook, a hairdresser, and even a home ec teacher. She forgives racial slights from Rawlings and gives her boss snaps for being actually pretty progressive in resisting and criticizing racist treatment of her "perfect maid." I'm glad I read Ms. Parker's book on its own merits but also to round out the unfavorable opinion I had of Rawlings after reading parts of her memoir, Cross Creek, where she writes about not understanding "the Africans."

[Kim Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer of this book was the maid for famous author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, (of The Yearling and Cross Creek fame.) This book takes place in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Mrs. Rawlings coined the phrase when she called Idella her “perfect maid,” hence the title. Idella gives a very candid look at the life she shared with Marjorie. You can tell she makes every attempt to be honest, yet fair when describing their relationship and Mrs. Rawlings life. She loved Mrs. Rawlings. Marjorie was a very generous individual and employer. She was before her time in many respects when it came to the subject of race relations, and yet in other respects the divide remained glaring. This is the first book Idella penned. As a huge Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings fan, one who has visited Cross Creek, I found this book very enjoyable and sometimes eye-opening. Well worth the read.
Idella also has a second book called, “From Reddick to Cross Creek.”

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most readers of this book will probably be attracted to it for Idella Parker's perspective on Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Parker indeed has plenty to tell. She presents a candid account of living with Rawlings, both the good and the bad, which readers of Rawlings's own books will not want to miss. Moreover, Parker tells her own story beyond her experiences as Rawlings's maid -- a story interesting in its own right, and offers a compelling account of life as an African America in the Jim Crow South and after.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

No easy life, but what a strong woman.

[Dewin Anguas Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautifully written, honest portrayal of life in the early to mid 1900s.

[Lynn Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

J

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting to read, both for another side to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and a(nother) story of what it was like to be African-American in the South in the first half of the twentieth century. (To be absolutely clear: Idella Parker lived a long life, well into the 1990s, so she knew most of the twentieth century. But this book's primarily about working with/for Rawlings.)

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short, easy, and enjoyable read that should be required reading for anyone who enjoyed the book Cross Creek, or plans to visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park. It's only fair to get two sides of the story after all.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting with great insight to the private life of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and her battles with alcoholism and apparent depression. Ms Parker also shares her views on living, as a black woman, in the segregated South.

[Nancy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club loved this book mostly because of the local references. So much of it happened in Marion County where we live. It is so interesting to hear what went on locally so long ago. This book is a fast read.