Books in Order: Spotlight on Author Lee Smith
Author Background: Lee Smith
Lee Smith, a native wordsmith of American origin, is fondly remembered for her unique contributions to the genre of southern gothic fiction. Surrounded by the picturesque sights of the Appalachian landscape in southwestern Virginia, Lee started crafting stories at a young age, trading these captivating tales for a nickel each. Her profound narrative style and compelling storytelling have seen her secure prestigious accolades such as the O. Henry Award, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award for Fiction, and the North Carolina Award for Literature.
A Closer Look at Lee Smith’s Writing Style
Lee Smith’s debut as a published author dawned in 1980 with the novel Black Mountain Breakdown. This marked the starting point of a prolific writing career characterized by her captivating books, spatially arranged in chronological order.
Smith’s audience often lauds her for a unique writing style that vividly brings the southern gothic genre to life. Grounded in the picturesque south, her narratives sing with authenticity, complexity, and a deep understanding of the human condition.
Lee Smith’s Books in Order
With a keen interest in presenting her books in order of their publication, Lee Smith provides a clear timeline of her writing journey. This orderly arrangement offers readers an immersive experience into her evolution as a writer and the progressive development of her storytelling craft.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed | (1969) |    |
| Fancy Strut | (1973) | |
| Black Mountain Breakdown | (1980) | |
| Oral History | (1983) | |
| Family Linen | (1985) | |
| Fair and Tender Ladies | (1988) | |
| The Devil’s Dream | (1992) | |
| Saving Grace | (1995) | |
| The Last Girls | (2002) | |
| On Agate Hill | (2006) | |
| Guests on Earth | (2013) | |
| Silver Alert | (2023) | |