37 pages • 1 hour read
Annie DillardAn American Childhood
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1987A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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
14-18yearsLexile Level
1040L