David R. Johnson (2)

I gasped out loud when I found this out-of-print biography on a shelf in a New York City used book store. (My library system could not get it for me). I wanted to read it to learn more about the author of "The Trees" trilogy which impressed me so much for its descriptions of woodland America. But, surprisingly, Richter did not consider himself an environmentalist or appreciator of nature at all.

He had a hard life as a struggling writer, but he perservered even when the critics were harsh. This bio describes the flourishing writers' market in the early 20th Century -- there were many weekly magazines then that paid for stories.

Richter deserves a renaissance. I think he is mainly thought of as a young adult writer because of "The Light in the Forest" and the Disney movie based on it. TLitF certainly IS a wonderful YA story, but it has a historical story line and cultural themes that would interest adult readers, too.

My impression of Richter is that his disdain for the public and unwillingness or inability to engage with people contributed to the sadness that characterized his life.

This biography of Richter is very well researched and presented. I recommend it for all readers who admire Richter's work.… (more)