Published in 1974 but written in the 1930s, Yonnondio: From the Thirties by Tillie Olsen tells the story of the poor, working-class Holbrook family as it weathers the trials of the 1920s. It touches on themes of class and motherhood while exploring the pre-depression era. Triggering or overtly sensitive topics include domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual violence.

Gritty

Dark

Melancholic

Challenging

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

930 ratings

57%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Yonnondio by Tillie Olsen is praised for its evocative portrayal of working-class struggles and rich, lyrical prose. Readers appreciate Olsen's empathetic character development and depiction of systemic poverty. However, some criticize its fragmented structure and unfinished feel, which may detract from overall coherence. Overall, it's a poignant, though occasionally disjointed, exploration of hardship and resilience.

Who Should Read Yonnondio?

Ideal for readers of social realism and feminist literature, Yonnondio by Tillie Olsen appeals to those who appreciated John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath or Alice Walker's The Color Purple. Fans of deeply empathetic narratives and explorations of working-class struggles in early 20th-century America will find it particularly engaging.

4.0

930 ratings

57%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Yonnondio: From the Thirties is a partially completed novel, which Tillie Olsen began in the 1930s but left unfinished for many years; it was eventually published in 1974 after being discovered among her papers.

The title "Yonnondio" is derived from a Native American word meaning "lament for the lost," which was also used by Walt Whitman in one of his poems.

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Tillie Olsen's work, including Yonnondio, is celebrated for its authentic depiction of the struggles of working-class Americans during the Great Depression.

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Book Details

Pages

196

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre

Historical Fiction

•

Education

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American Literature

Setting