The Yearling is an excellent example of frontier regional literature. The resilience and earthiness of the characters is vividly captured in a unique pattern of speech that the Florida natives refer to as "cracker" dialect. Because the Florida scrub and its inhabitants are depicted with almost journalistic precision, the reader is absorbed into the reality of the period and the authenticity of Jody's conflict. The straightforward style of the narrative and the well-constructed plot keep this action story moving, but Rawlings has also taken great care to develop the thoughts and personalities of her characters and to show the complex causes of their feelings and behavior. She evokes a spectrum of moods, ranging from the security and peace of the innocent boy at the pool, to the utter despair of the young man who feels abandoned. Rawlings skillfully unifies thoughts, themes, and impressions to present a rich and...