Gladys Hasty Carroll

Gladys Hasty Carroll (1904-1999) was an American novelist and writer who gained prominence in the 1930s for her realistic depictions of rural Maine life. Her most successful work, "As The Earth Turns" (1933), became a bestseller and was adapted into a film by Warner Brothers in 1934. Carroll wrote extensively about farming communities and New England cultural traditions, drawing from her experiences growing up in South Berwick, Maine. Her novels and short stories often focused on multi-generational family sagas and the changing dynamics of rural life in the early 20th century. Throughout her career spanning over five decades, Carroll published numerous works including "A Few Foolish Ones" (1935), "Dunnybrook" (1943), and "Christmas Through the Years" (1982). She maintained strong ties to her native state, serving as a trustee of the University of Maine and receiving an honorary doctorate from Bates College. Her writing style was characterized by careful attention to historical detail and authentic portrayal of New England dialects. Carroll's work has been noted for documenting the social and economic transitions in rural Maine communities as they adapted to modernization.

Readers appreciate Carroll's intimate portrayal of rural Maine life and farming communities in the early 1900s, particularly in "As The Earth Turns." Many note her attention to historical detail and realistic depiction of daily farm routines and seasonal changes. Readers connect with her portrayal of strong female characters, especially Jen Shaw in "As The Earth Turns." Reviews highlight the authenticity of family dynamics and generational relationships. Some readers find the pacing slow and the writing style dated. A few reviews mention difficulty following multiple character storylines and adjusting to the period-specific dialogue. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "As The Earth Turns" - 3.9/5 (230 ratings) "Dunnybrook" - 3.8/5 (25 ratings) Amazon: "As The Earth Turns" - 4.3/5 (48 reviews) Most reviews come from "As The Earth Turns," with limited ratings available for her other works.

As The Earth Turns (1933) A detailed portrayal of seasonal farm life in Maine through the story of the Shaw family, particularly focusing on young Jen Shaw.

A Few Foolish Ones (1935) Chronicles three generations of Maine families living in the fictional town of Dunnet Landing between 1860 and 1935.

Neighbor to the Sky (1937) Follows a Maine farm girl who marries a professor and adjusts to academic life while maintaining connections to her rural roots.

Head of the Line (1942) Depicts the story of several generations of a Maine family from 1800 to 1941, examining their connections to the land and community.

While the Angels Sing (1947) Explores life in a small Maine town during World War II through the experiences of various community members.

Christmas Through the Years (1958) A collection of holiday stories set in Maine spanning different time periods.

The Light Here Kindled (1967) Traces the history of a Maine town from its founding through various historical periods and social changes.

To Remember Forever (1963) Autobiographical work detailing Carroll's experiences growing up in Maine and her development as a writer.

Next of Kin (1974) Documents the lives of interconnected families in a rural Maine community during times of social change.