Now in November

This lyrical Pulitzer-winning debut from Johnson (1910–1990), first published in 1935, takes an impressionistic look at the Dust Bowl. The white Haldmarne family’s land is heavily mortgaged and barely arable. Reflecting on what they’ve endured over the past decade, oldest daughter Marget recalls the steadiness of their mother and the volatile moods of their father: “He wanted some safety for us, freedom from that fear and doubt he had always known himself.” But the farm requires more labor than the family can do alone, so they take in a neighbor, Grant, who works for room and board. Marget falls in love with him, but he only has eyes for her younger sister Merle. Kerrin, the third daughter and outcast of the family, wants to leave and entertains herself with reading King Lear. As the Great Depression deepens and drought worsens, poverty magnifies the family’s misfortunes, though they fare better than their Black neighbors, the Ramseys. Amid strife, Marget finds comfort in the gentle and predictable beauty of nature, though it does not remain the balm she had hoped. Along the way, Johnson offers many intelligent insights via Marget’s narration, as well as an unflinching look at the family’s desperation. This lost work is well worth rediscovering. (July)