Margaret Blair Young

Margaret Blair Young is an American author, playwright, and writing instructor known for her historical fiction and biographical works focused on Black Mormon history. Her most prominent works include the Standing on the Promises series, co-authored with Darius Gray, which chronicles the experiences of early Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Young served as president of the Association for Mormon Letters and taught creative writing at Brigham Young University for over thirty years. She has written multiple novels including House Without Walls and Salvador, as well as short story collections such as Love Chains and Elegies and Love Songs. Her work frequently explores themes of faith, race relations, and cultural identity within Mormon contexts. Together with Darius Gray, she also produced the documentary Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons, which aired on PBS and examined the historical intersection of race and religion in Mormon communities. Young's writing has garnered several awards including the Association for Mormon Letters Award for her novel Salvador and recognition for her contributions to Mormon literature and historical research. Her work as both an author and educator has helped document and bring attention to overlooked aspects of Mormon history and culture.

Reader reviews for Margaret Blair Young's works appear limited online, making it difficult to provide a comprehensive analysis of public reception. Her co-authored Standing on the Promises series has a handful of reviews on Goodreads, averaging 4.1/5 stars. Readers appreciated: - Historical detail and research in depicting Black Mormon experiences - Complex handling of faith and racial identity - Personal stories that humanize historical events Points of critique: - Some found the writing style inconsistent - Narrative pacing described as slow in parts - Limited availability of her works made them hard to find On Amazon, individual volumes of Standing on the Promises received 4-5 star ratings, though with fewer than 10 reviews each. Her novel Salvador maintains a 4.2/5 rating on Goodreads. One reader noted: "The historical research shines through without overwhelming the human story at its core." Most reviews focus on the historical and educational value rather than literary style or entertainment factors.

Standing on the Promises (trilogy, co-authored with Darius Gray) - Historical fiction series following the lives of early Black Mormon pioneers from 1830 to 1978.

House Without Walls - Novel about a Vietnamese refugee family adapting to life in Utah during the 1970s.

Salvador - Story collection exploring themes of faith and cultural identity through characters in El Salvador and the United States.

Love Chains - Novel examining relationships and religious faith through the story of a Mormon woman's marriage to a non-Mormon man.

Heresies of Nature - Novel depicting a family's struggle with the mother's multiple sclerosis and its impact on their relationships and faith.

The Lost Sheep - Short story collection focusing on characters navigating religious doubt and personal transformation.

I Am Jane - Play about Jane Manning James, an early Black Mormon pioneer, documenting her experiences in 19th century Mormon society.

Phyllis Barber writes novels and memoirs exploring Mormon women's experiences in the American West, focusing on themes of faith and cultural identity. Her work includes raw personal narratives about growing up in Nevada and wrestling with religious expectations.

Linda Sillitoe produced fiction and non-fiction examining Mormon culture through feminist and social justice perspectives. Her stories deal with women navigating religious constraints while addressing controversial historical events in Mormon communities.

Terry Tempest Williams creates narratives connecting environmental advocacy with Mormon cultural heritage and women's experiences. Her writing blends personal history with natural observation while questioning established religious and social structures.

Virginia Sorensen wrote novels set in Mormon communities during the early to mid-20th century, focusing on women's roles and relationships. Her work presents detailed portraits of small-town Utah life while exploring conflicts between tradition and modernity.

Judith Freeman examines Mormon history and culture through both fiction and non-fiction, with emphasis on women's perspectives and forgotten voices. Her books investigate historical events and religious practices while maintaining focus on individual human experiences.