Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor - A Legendary American Author

Flannery O'Connor was an American author, born in Savannah, Georgia. Her work, considered the classic Southern Gothic genre, has influenced authors, artists, and musicians.

O'Connor, best known for her short stories, also wrote two novels Wise Blood (1952) and The Violent Bear It Away (1960); essays; novels of short story collections; and commentaries.

O'Connor never married or had children. She died in 1964, at the young age of 39, from family-inherited Lupus (as had O'Connor's father when she was fifteen years old).

O'Connor's work explored a Christian understanding of human nature. She exposed her characters' nature in themes of good versus evil in violent situations and consequences. Her work became more widely understood after her death; critics realized the violent work, not simply gore without purpose, led to revelations for her characters (and readers) .

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:: Photo of Flannery O'Connor with her first novel, Wise Blood.
Photo credit ~ Eastern Illinois University. ::

Flannery O'Connor at a Glance

'Mary Flannery OConnor' (March 25 1925 - August 3 1964) was an American novelist, short-story writer and essayist.

An important voice in American literature, OConnor wrote two novels and 32 short stories, as well as a number of reviews and commentaries. She was a Southern writer who often wrote in a Southern Gothic style and relied heavily on regional settings and grotesque characters. O'Connor's writing also reflected her own Roman Catholic faith, and frequently examined questions of morality and ethics.

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"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."

Quote by Flannery O'Connor

Stories by Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor : Colle...

A Good Man Is Hard to Fin...

Wise Blood: A Novel

The Habit of Being: Lette...

Mystery and Manners: Occa...

Learn More About Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Foundation: Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Foundation.
Flannery O'Connor - Andalusia Foundation: The Flannery O'Connor Andalusia Foundation, Inc.
Flannery O'Connor CollectionFlannery O'Connor Collection: Mary Flannery O'Connor at Georgia State College for Women(now Georgia College & State University). Read more on this collection of photos.
Mystery and Manners in Savannah: Selected Works of Flannery O'Connor: April 6-10, 2008 ~ Classical Pursuits offers domestic and international learning vacations with a difference. Cultural, educational and literary tours that do not compromise the spontaneity, flexibility, and sense of personal discovery of private travel - only the logistical hassles.
2008 Flannery O'Connor Conference: April 2-5, 2008 ~ The Stories of Flannery and Faulkner will feature keynote speakers Jay Watson and Anne Goodwin Jones and readings by Martin Lammon, Sandra Worsham, Alice Friman, GCSU Creative Writing Students, Sean Hill, Allan Gurganus, and Mary Hood.
Literary Affairs - Southern Writers Series: March 13, 2008 ~ Southern Writers Series
Literary Affairs presents a classic series of three Luncheon Lectures and Discussions with Julie Robinson and UCLA Professor of English, Charles Lynn Batten.
Flannery O'Connor Postage Stamp Campaign: News & Events ~ Join the The Flannery O'Connor Society petition for a U.S. postal stamp commemorating O'Connor. Find out how you can help!

Where there is no belief in the soul there is very little drama. Either one is serious about salvation or one is not. And it is well to realize that the maximum amount of seriousness admits the maximum amount of comedy. Only if we are secure in our beliefs can we see the comical side of the universe

Quote by Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor Video

A video farewell to Flannery O'Connor. Great photos and work by O'Connor set to music. Enjoy! It's a wonderful tribute to this legendary author!

Flannery O'Connor's Farewell

This was a video made for my English class. One of the first I ever made. So, it's not great. But the music is nice...and you'll learn about Flannery. (she's a great author)

Runtime: 9:11
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Films Based On O'Connor's Stories

Film adaptations were based on the following stories by O'Connor.

A Circle in the Fire
The Comforts of Home
The Displaced Person
Good Country People
The River
Wise Blood
The Life You Save

If you'd like more info on the films, check out Georgia College and State University Library Collections for each film's year, description and call number for access to these works.

Read and Watch Wise Blood

Wise Blood [VHS]

Wise Blood, DVD. Movie based on O'Connor's novel of the same name.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)

Wise Blood: A Novel

by: Flannery O'Connor

One of the two novels written by Flannery O'Connor.

Amazon Price: $10.98 (as of 07/13/2009)

Flannery O'Connor's "Wise Blood": A Study Guide from Gale's "Novels for Students" (Volume 03, Chapter 15)

To delve even deeper into O'Connor's Wise Blood, order this study guide.

Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 07/13/2009)

Flannery O'Connor Favorites

Have you read Flannery O'Connor's work?

If you haven't, here are some great books, written by Flannery O'Connor. To learn more about O'Connor, check out the books about her work.

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Flannery O'Connor : Collected Works : Wise Blood / A Good Man Is Hard to Find / The Violent Bear It Away / Everything that Rises Must Converge / Essays & Letters (Library of America) by Flannery O'Connor

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"There's many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher."

Quote by Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor Short Story Award

From the University of Georgia Press: "Nearly fifty short-story collections have appeared in the Flannery O'Connor Award series, which was established to encourage gifted emerging writers by bringing their work to a national readership. The first prize-winning book was published in 1983; the award has since become an important proving ground for writers and a showcase for the talent and promise that have brought about a resurgence in the short story as a genre. Winners are selected through an annual competition that attracts as many as three hundred manuscripts.

Winners of the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction include such widely read authors as Ha Jin, Antonya Nelson, Rita Ciresi, and Mary Hood."

Univ. of Georgia Press: The Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction: Discover the award-winning authors!

The Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction

These authors are winners! Their stories earned The Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction.

Super America: Stories (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)

by: Anne Panning

Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 07/13/2009)

How Far She Went (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)

by: Mary Hood

Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 07/13/2009)

Ate It Anyway: Stories (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)

by: Edward Allen

Amazon Price: $17.54 (as of 07/13/2009)

Copy Cats: Stories (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)

by: David Crouse

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/13/2009)

Curled in the Bed of Love: Stories (Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction)

by: Catherine Brady

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/13/2009)

Who was Influenced by Flannery O'Connor?

Flannery O'Connor has shaped the work of many: Artists of all kinds tell of her influence on their work.

North Shore Magazine: Interview with Beverly Farms writer Christina Goldshalk produces highly acclaimed first novel, by Hatsy Shields.
Joshilyn Jackson: Interview with Joshilyn Jackson for MyShelf's Author of the Month(Feb 2008), by reviewer Jennifer Akers.
Mike Scott Review by The Phantom Tollbooth: February 1999 Pick of the Month - Still Burning
Interview with artist Mike Scott by The Phantom Tollbooth
"Flannery O'Connor, Meet Stephen King": Stewart O'Nan has published Snow Angels,
The Names of the Dead, The Speed Queen, A World Away, A Prayer for the Dying, The Circus Fire, among others.
Interview with Robert Nelsen: Writer, Teacher, Editor: An Interview with Robert Nelsen, by Don Killen.
Robert S. Nelsen, a professor at The University of Texas at Dallas.
bookclub@ket: Ed McClanahan Interview: A self-conducted interview with writer Ed McClanahan, author of The Natural Man, the bookclub@ket selection for May 1999.
south: An interview with Richmond's South, a musical ensemble. Read about the song, "Flannery".
DoubleTake 12: Will Percy Interviews Bruce Springsteen: An interview with Bruce Springsteen, by Will Percy. Read the influence of authors, like O'Connor, on Bruce's writing.

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More Artists Influenced by Flannery O'Connor

MWP: Eudora Welty (1909-2001): Information about writer Eudora Welty, including a biographical and critical article, a list of published works, and other information resources.
Elizabeth Bishop at Vassar College: An introduction to the principal collection of Elizabeth Bishop Papers, housed at Vassar College.
WFotW ~ William Faulkner Resources: William Faulkner On The Web Resources.
Flannery O'Connor CollectionFlannery O'Connor Collection: Betty Hester, known as "A", and Flannery O'Connor
became acquainted when Hester wrote to O'Connor in the summer of 1955. They were friends and wrote to each other until O'Connor's death in 1964.
Billy Bob Thornton: Academy Award-winning writer, actor, director, and musician, Billy Bob Thornton has an extensive and impressive career in motion pictures, television, and music. In interviews, he has stated Flannery O'Connor's influence on his work.
U2 Interview: Interview with Bono of U2 about his work and Flannery O'Connor's influence.