Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, published in 1938, is arguably the most iconic of the prolific British author’s novels. During the British author’s lifetime, critics frequently dismissed her work because it was popular with the public — readable and riveting. That view has since been revised.
Rebecca celebrated its eightieth anniversary of publication in 2018, never having gone out of print. It was an immediate bestseller upon publication, selling more than a million copies in hardcover in a short time. It has been reprinted countless times, and translated into numerous languages. Read More→
The Awakening is an 1899 novella depicting one woman’s struggle with societal expectations in her role as a wife and mother. Following this introduction, you’ll find a collection of quotes from The Awakening by Kate Chopin.
This elegantly written novella tells the story of Edna Pontellier, a young Creole woman who craves more than the society-sanctioned role available to her. The theme of marital infidelity from the unique perspective of the woman shocked reviewers and readers alike.
The Awakening was silenced by brutal reviews in newspapers and literary publications from coast to coast. Just a few years after publication, it fell out of print. Chopin was disheartened by its reception and her writings dwindled after its publication. She died unexpectedly in 1905, just in her fifties; The Awakening fell out of print shortly after, followed by her other works, which consisted of several novels and many evocative short stories.
Read More→
Alice Dunnigan (April 27, 1906 –May 6, 1983), was the first Black American female correspondent to receive White House credentials. She had several other firsts to her credit.
She was also the first Black female member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives press galleries. She covered Harry Truman’s 1948 presidential campaign, another first for an African American female journalist.
A true trailblazer, Alice Dunnigan was known for her tough, forthright questions. Her gutsy approach led her from journalism into a position that spanned the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Read More→
Rebecca West (December 21, 1892 – March 15, 1983), British novelist, journalist, and essayist, was born Cicely Isabel Fairfield in County Kerry, Ireland.
Her mother was a pianist; her father, a would-be journalist and ne’er-do-well, abandoned his family when she was eight years old, after which they moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. There she was educated at George Watson’s Ladies College, though contrary to its name, was a secondary school.
At age 14, she survived tuberculosis, and had to end her education at age 16, due to lack of finances. Some time later she studied drama at a London academy. With an unhappy childhood behind her, she assumed the name Rebecca West after a strong-willed woman in Rosmersholm, a play by Ibsen. Read More→
Willa Cather (1873 – 1947), it could be argued, wrote several Great American Novels, characterized by their stark beauty and economy of language. Her earlier novels include several that have remained classics, notably, O Pioneers!, The Song of the Lark, and My Ántonia — which came out in quick succession in the nineteen-teens.
Several novels, all well received, came out in the twenties. One of Ours (1922) received a Pulitzer Prize the following year. Here we take a brief look at the seven later novels of Willa Cather, beginning with A Lost Lady (1923). Read More→
Martha Gellhorn (1908 – 1998) reported on nearly every global conflict, from the Spanish Civil War to Vietnam, that took place during her 60-year career as a journalist.
She’s considered one of the greatest war correspondents of the twentieth century. It’s a fitting legacy, but she also produced a body of fine fiction. The Wine of Astonishment (1948) is directly inspired by her first-hand experiences as a World War II correspondent.
The protagonist of the novel, Jacob Levy, witnessed the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, and the shock of the experience changes everything. Read More→
Dodie Smith (May 3, 1896 – November 24, 1990), born Dorothy Gladys Smith in Lancashire, England, was one of the most successful female dramatists of her generation.
The British novelist and playwright is even better known for her novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians (later better known as The 101 Dalmatians) and the young adult novel I Capture the Castle.
Dodie Smith came to her love of theatre early, with many of her family members either enthusiasts or amateurs in that realm. She studied at the Academy of Dramatic Art, exploring a short career in acting before becoming a successful playwright and novelist. Read More→
Giant, the 1956 film, was based on the epic 1952 novel of the same title by Edna Ferber. The saga of a wealthy Texas ranching family, the film starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean, with appearances by Chill Wills, Mercedes McCambridge, Carroll Baker, Jane Withers, Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, and Rod Taylor.
Giant was notable for being James Dean’s final film performance before his tragic death in a car accident. He was nominated posthumously for an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Jett Rink, a poor but ambitious ranch hand. Read More→
