Barbara Newhall Follett
An American child prodigy novelist, Barbara Newhall Follett gained early critical acclaim before her mysterious disappearance at the age of twenty-five.
- Lived
- 1914–1939
- Nationality
- American
- Language
- English
- Notable works
- The House Without Windows · The Voyage of the Norman D.
Barbara Newhall Follett was an American child prodigy novelist whose early literary achievements captivated readers and critics alike in the late 1920s. Born in 1914, Follett demonstrated extraordinary writing talent at a very young age. She published her debut novel, The House Without Windows, in January 1927 when she was just twelve years old. The book was praised for its imaginative depth and unique perspective on nature and freedom.\n\nFollowing her initial success, Follett published her second novel, The Voyage of the Norman D., at the age of fourteen. This work, based on her own experiences aboard a coastal schooner, received widespread critical acclaim and cemented her reputation as a remarkable young voice in American literature. Her writing often explored themes of escape, adventure, and a deep connection to the natural world.\n\nDespite her promising early career, Follett's life took a tragic turn as she grew into adulthood. Facing personal difficulties and growing increasingly depressed with her marriage, she walked out of her apartment in December 1939 at the age of twenty-five. She was never seen again, leaving behind a brief but extraordinary literary legacy that continues to fascinate readers.