What do you think?
Rate this book
The Home Front
Short stories capture the unconquerable spirit on the home front during the war years and examine the changing values of the period of postwar prosperity
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
85 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Craven
13 books39 followersMargaret was the daughter of Arthur J. Craven, a lawyer, and Emily K. Craven. After she and her twin Wilson were born, her family, including an older brother, Leslie (born 1889), moved from Montana to Bellingham, Washington. After finishing high school in Bellingham, Margaret went to Stanford University (Palo Alto, California) where she majored in history and graduated Phi Beta Kappa.
Upon graduating with distinction in 1924, she moved to San Jose, California, where she was secretary to the managing editor of the Mercury Herald. Soon she began writing the editorials. After the death of the editor, Margaret moved back to Palo Alto and began writing short stories for magazines like the Delineator. When her father died, her mother came to live with her and they moved to San Francisco. In 1941 her stories began appearing in the Saturday Evening Post. Although seriously hindered by near-blindness caused by a busaccident and bacterial infection, she continued to write. In 1960, an operation gave her sight back, and she began to write novels.
Margaret and her mother moved to Sacramento, California in 1959, where her brother Wilson was living. She learned about the Native-Americans of the northern British Columbia coast, first from her brother Wilson who had visited there, and then from reading published accounts of the native culture. In 1962, Margaret arranged with the Columbia Coast Mission of the Anglican Church to visit Kingcome and other native Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) villages on the B.C. coast. Out of this experience came her first novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, which was published in Canada in 1967, and then in 1973 in the U.S. where it became a best seller. The same year it was adapted as a television movie for General Electric Theater on CBS. The American edition of the book sold over one million copies and was translated into several languages.
Margaret Craven died at home in Sacramento on July 19, 1980, predeceased by both her mother and her twin brother Wilson.
Upon graduating with distinction in 1924, she moved to San Jose, California, where she was secretary to the managing editor of the Mercury Herald. Soon she began writing the editorials. After the death of the editor, Margaret moved back to Palo Alto and began writing short stories for magazines like the Delineator. When her father died, her mother came to live with her and they moved to San Francisco. In 1941 her stories began appearing in the Saturday Evening Post. Although seriously hindered by near-blindness caused by a busaccident and bacterial infection, she continued to write. In 1960, an operation gave her sight back, and she began to write novels.
Margaret and her mother moved to Sacramento, California in 1959, where her brother Wilson was living. She learned about the Native-Americans of the northern British Columbia coast, first from her brother Wilson who had visited there, and then from reading published accounts of the native culture. In 1962, Margaret arranged with the Columbia Coast Mission of the Anglican Church to visit Kingcome and other native Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) villages on the B.C. coast. Out of this experience came her first novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, which was published in Canada in 1967, and then in 1973 in the U.S. where it became a best seller. The same year it was adapted as a television movie for General Electric Theater on CBS. The American edition of the book sold over one million copies and was translated into several languages.
Margaret Craven died at home in Sacramento on July 19, 1980, predeceased by both her mother and her twin brother Wilson.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2019
One of my all-time favorite books is I Heard the Owl Call My Name. I have now read all four of her books, and they are all full of delight.
These short stories start off in a small town, on a single street, and are about the people who live on that street. They are in chronological order as they were written and published, giving us a unique insight into small-town America starting in the 1940s. A special treat is the short story which was the impetus to I Heard the Owl Call My Name.
These are marvelous bedtime stories. No nightmares will ensue. Each story is its own, though many, especially in the beginning, are connected. Stories I will read again.
I heartily recommend this book. For that matter, I heartily recommend her other three books. One of America's truly great writers right along with Willa Cather!
These short stories start off in a small town, on a single street, and are about the people who live on that street. They are in chronological order as they were written and published, giving us a unique insight into small-town America starting in the 1940s. A special treat is the short story which was the impetus to I Heard the Owl Call My Name.
These are marvelous bedtime stories. No nightmares will ensue. Each story is its own, though many, especially in the beginning, are connected. Stories I will read again.
I heartily recommend this book. For that matter, I heartily recommend her other three books. One of America's truly great writers right along with Willa Cather!
September 5, 2021
Absolutely one of the best books I've ever read. Really. Each short story like a glimmering jewel of humanity.
June 9, 2023
Second read. Classic mid 20th century light short stories, extremely well done. Enough wisdom to keep you interested, well-drawn characters, a light touch. If you like this genre, Craven was a master at it.
May 20, 2017
Probably this one.
June 12, 2011
I loved the stories. just short enough to read before bed and long enough to develop the characters. Good stories of times gone by when life was slower and each day could be enjoyed. What to read more!
May 13, 2008
Actually only read about 1/2 of it. I found it very boring.
February 17, 2014
Boring did not finish
September 14, 2016
Read for the second time. This is one of my favorite books of all time.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews