Offers a broad study of the life and writings of Ann Petry, the African-American fiction writer born in 1908. A biographical chapter places Petry in a cultural context, while critical chapters look at the prevalent themes in Petry's novels and stories the portrayal of communities, the dynamics of those communities and then proceeds with a book by book examination of her publications. Works covered include The Street, Country Place, The Narrows, and Miss Muriel and Other Stories.