Virginia Faulkner: A Life in Two Acts

by Brad Bigelow

The story of a Nebraska-born writer that provides a unique view on how a woman with a strong voice, vivid sense of humor, and uncompromising standards shaped a life under challenging conditions.
 

280 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2026

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book about a person not many people know about or, frankly, would be interested in. Virginia Faulkner was a smart, extremely self assured, profoundly privileged person whose early success may likely be based entirely on the benefits of her family’s status, money, and connections. She suffered no extraordinary trauma (parents died, lovers left, she was depressed). I found her to be entirely unsympathetic yet I read the book quickly and was intrigued solely due to the author’s skill. The last quarter of the book goes heavy into her work regarding Willa Cather and was the least interesting part for me. I’m sure Cather scholars will find it satisfying.

Great job by the author.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know anything about Virginia Faulkner, but when I saw that she was involved with Willa Cathers’ work, I knew I wanted to read this book. It’s interesting to read about women who live their life in their own way despite the norms of the time and she certainly did that. Her life had its challenges. I thought I would only be interested in the part regarding Willa Cather, but I found the entire book hard to put down.

Thank you to the author, University of Nebraska Press | Bison Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.