Another marvelous book by Paul Hendrickson about a beautiful and talented subject, Marion Post Wolcott. My review can be read here:

http://mewlhouse.hubpages.com/_1qsqsuzy8itx3/hub/Marion-Post-Wolcott-and-the-FSA... ( )

Marion Post Wolcott, 1910-1990. Photographer in the Deep South during the Depression. Her work is of the first rank (think Walker Evans), but she's forgotten probably because she gave it up at the age of 31 to get married.

Only 4 stars because this is an undocumented biog. She evidently not only took great photos, but she also wrote profane, hilarious letters. I wish the biography had been referenced. Hendrickson knew her personally, so there's also an element of hagiography to this book. I'm not sure he caught her completely--he may have been blinded somewhat by his feelings for her.

Having said that, I want to add that this is a beautifully written, even lyrical, biography, and Hendrickson is also strong in an area where biographers often disappoint: Hendrickson goes beyond mere biographical details to assess his subject's life. "This is a story about an an artist who stopped, who let go of that gifted, magical thing inside her until it was too late and the gift was lost."

I had never heard of Maureen Post Wolcott before reading this book, and I have only a passing interest in photography. But you really don't need a reason to know about this woman to enjoy her biography. She's a fascinating woman who is also lucky in her biographer. Based on his work on this biography, I would read anything else that Hendrickson has written. ( )