The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 1

"The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 1" by Elizabeth Bisland is a biography that starts at the beginning, telling the story of a famous writer and critic named Lafcadio Hearn, especially focusing on the events and experiences from when he was young that helped him become a great author. The book shares the story of Hearn's life, in order, and incorporates much of his personal mail which helps to show what kind of person he was, while capturing his feelings in ways that give real depth and meaning to his work. The book discusses Hearn’s childhood, starting with his birth in Greece, going on to describe the difficult moments of his youth, like the love affair of his parents and their eventual split. Bisland's storytelling focuses on Hearn's early life, portraying him as a thoughtful, feeling child greatly impacted by his mixed background and the heartaches he faced early on. Hearn’s deep thoughts about his past, as seen in his letters and memories, help us to understand how he became such a talented artist, known for his desire for all that is beautiful and his ability to find links with the world, even when faced with suffering.