She grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas, prominent in the constellation of myth-ridden, segregated and sweaty towns that bedecked the South of the 1930s and 1940s. She and her father shared a fascination with fiction; and he urged her to read and encourage her to write. Abbott only looked closely into his life as a bookmaker, a professional gambler, and a corrupter of politicians and police when she was old enough to understand what really fed her. She went to New York City and fulfilled most of his expectations of her, the exceptions being that he wanted her to remain in Hot Springs and live Southern and oblivious to his business. This narrative of reconciliation and the love of language was originally published in 1991; the reprint includes new notes for educators and committed readers. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)