37 pages 1 hour read

Annie Dillard

An American Childhood

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1987

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

An American Childhood by Annie Dillard traces her intellectual development from age five through her acceptance to college at age 18, depicting her growing awareness of the world and its possibilities during the 1950s in Pittsburgh. Through first-person narrative, Dillard describes her loving family, excellent education, and social interactions, calling readers to a similar intellectual awakening.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Annie Dillard's An American Childhood captivates readers with its eloquent prose and vivid imagery, recounting the author's coming-of-age experiences. Praised for its introspective depth and reflective narrative, it resonates with many. However, some find its contemplative pace slow and its detail-heavy style demanding. Overall, it is a rich, evocative memoir celebrated by admirers of literary nonfiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read An American Childhood?

Readers who appreciate An American Childhood by Annie Dillard often enjoy reflective, poetic memoirs that explore personal growth and the beauty of everyday experiences. Fans of works like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls would find Dillard's introspective narrative appealing.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

1040L

Book Details

Themes

Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Identity: Language

Topics

Education

Genre

Education

Biography

Classic Fiction