Opal Whiteley profile picture

Opal Whiteley

About Me

This is a tribute site for Opal Whiteley (1897 - 1992). Her childhood diary, THE STORY OF OPAL: THE JOURNAL OF AN UNDERSTANDING HEART, published in 1920, is world famous, but she also published two other books in her lifetime. One of these is a collection of nature poems, stories and essays for children, titled THE FAIRYLAND AROUND US. Opal published this herself in 1918. Her third book, self-published in 1923, is a collection of poetry titled THE FLOWER OF STARS. My purpose in creating this myspace for Opal is to promote her diary, to discuss her life and writings, and to share some rare materials with her readers. I am not an expert on Opal Whiteley, just a fan. I've been researching Opal for about ten years now but still have a lot to learn. I'd like to hear from anyone with an interest in Opal. Please post your comments, opinions, impressions and thoughts.I'll be adding images of book covers, photos and rare texts. Also, see my Blog where I'll talk about everything and anything related to Opal whiteley.Who am I? I'm a poet and short story writer. You can learn more about me by seeing the myspace of my friend "David" below.David Barker1920 THE STORY OF OPAL1918 THE FAIRYLAND AROUND US1923 THE FLOWER OF STARS. I'm aware of three different cover versions for this book of poetry. This is the blue cover.1923 FLOWER OF STARS. Tan cover version.1923 FLOWER OF STARS. What I'll tentatively call the purple cover version. This is a badly water-damaged copy that shows wrinkling. Perhaps this is a blue cover that has been discolored. It looks like the title is stamped in gold, rather than being on a printed paper label.Opal Whiteley in Sunset Magazine, 1915Picture poem from THE FAIRYLAND AROUND US

My Interests

I'd like to meet:

Well, Opal, of course, but that's no longer possible in this world. Maybe in the next.I'd love to hear from readers, fans, anyone with an interest in Opal Whiteley.

My Blog

Opal Whiteley Tour of Cottage Grove Oregon - Video

Here's a link to a video tour of Opal Whiteley sites in the Cottage Grove area, narrated by Opal expert Steve Williamson.  This has been up on Youtube for a couple months now but I just stumbled acros...
Posted by on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:12:00 GMT

College photo of Opal Whiteley found

Many months ago the partner of one of my daughters gave me an original edition of the 1917 Oregana, the Year Book for the University of Oregon. He knows I'm a big Opal Whiteley fan and assumed I would...
Posted by on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:33:00 GMT

My Abandonment

I'm half way through Peter Rock's novel, My Abandonment, and I love it.  It's a wonderful book, very engrossing.  Here's my favorite quote so far:"Caroline," he says.  "Don't be afraid.  Just because ...
Posted by on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:11:00 GMT

Peter Rock's My Abandonment & Gina Ochsner's Russian Dreambook of Colour And Flight

Here's a link to an article in The Oregonian that has me really itching to read Peter Rock's new novel, My Abandonment, and not just for the connection to Opal Whiteley.  It's right at the top of my l...
Posted by on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:33:00 GMT

Jane Boulton Interview on Youtube

This just in.  I haven't watched the interview yet (it's 5:00 AM and I'm hurrying off to work soon):****************************Dear Friends of Opal,Spring is in the air, and here at OPAL headquarters...
Posted by on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:05:00 GMT

"My Abandonment" novel references Opal's Diary

I just learned of this book and haven't yet seen it, so I can't recommend it, but I do recall reading the real life news story of a father and child found living in the wilderness around Portland and ...
Posted by on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:41:00 GMT

Visiting Opal

I went for a walk today on my lunch hour and realized it has been a long time since I last went to the State Library to do research on Opal Whiteley.  The library is only a few blocks from my office s...
Posted by on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:37:00 GMT

Opal film newsletter

Here's the first installment of a newsletter from director Dina Ciraulo on developments related to her forthcoming feature film on Opal Whiteley.  You can sign up for the email newsletter on...
Posted by on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:59:00 GMT

"Opal Whitely" song by Marmalade on Beautiful Soup CD

I just stumbled across a song about Opal Whiteley (they spell it "Whitely") by an indie band called Marmalade.  It's on their album, "Beautiful Soup."  You can listen to the song here: http:...
Posted by on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Opal film director interview video

Here's a link to an interview with "Opal" film director Dina Ciraulo on the San Francisco cable show Movie Close Up hosted by Bonnie Steiger: http://www.truveo.com/Movie-Close-Up-Interview/id/4026468...
Posted by on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:58:00 GMT