Shirley Jackson
 Shirley Hardie Jackson December 14, 1916 – August 8, 1965 American writer best known for the short story "The Lottery" (1948) |
It was a shocking tale which started out innocently enough with various towns people discussing the upcoming celebration and culminating the the crescendo of a lady being stoned to death as part of some ritual.
I associated it all with a pagan vein running through americana but in my temder young seventh grade orientation it was likely more of a thrill I received from the shocking notion of a town killing one of it's citizens.
The aftermath of my reading this story has been it's persistence in my memory and my favor for I have enjoyed it a number of times since the seventh grade over the years and will continue to do so in the future.
Shirley Jackson remains one of my favorite authors because of The Lottery. She passed on this day 52 years ago as the result of lifestyle dieases associated with heavy smoking and being overweight. Nonetheless she and her craft remain dear to me all these years.