Tag Archives: Happy Island

Who was Dawn Powell?

powellbeach

1896 Born in family home at 53 West North Street in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, on November 28, the second of three daughters of Roy King Powell and Hattie Sherman Powell. (In later years Powell habitually gives her birth year as 1897. Father, b. August 24, 1869, and mother, b. March 24, 1872, are both from […]

1935 Diary

Cover 1935 Diary

This diary is in unusually poor physical condition but contains much material that is fascinating. Powell continues to work on “Turn, Magic Wheel” and begins to sketch “The Happy Island,” which would be taken mostly from her diaries.

1937 Diary

Cover 1937 Diary

Another detailed diary of Powell’s life, friends, and observed behavior. Powell working on “The Happy Island” with the help of generous doses of Dexedrine. Powell was never a better critic than when she was casually discussing other writers in her diary. Powell is plotting “The Happy Island” in this previously unpublished diary entry.

1938 Diary

Cover 1938 Diary

Powell completes and publishes “The Happy Island.” Diary includes stories of composer Carl Ruggles, novelist Felipe Alfau, and much discussion of world politics.