By Emma Ward | On September 24, 2017 | Updated December 11, 2022 | Comments (0)
P.L. Travers (1899 – 1966) found inspiration for her writing as an avid reader of fairy tales and mythology. It’s no surprise, then, that she created the magical nanny, Mary Poppins (1934). Here’s a selection of quotes by P.L. Travers, a complicated woman and talented writer:
After the original Mary Poppins book (always the most successful), there were several sequels, and of course, the famous 1964 Disney musical film.
The original Mary Poppins books were darker and more subversive than the Disney-fied version. And the film Saving Mr. Banks, depicting the making of Mary Poppins, starred Emma Thompson as the prickly author who fought Disney on every detail. And that still didn’t tell the whole story of just what a curmudgeon Travers could be. Read More→
By Emma Ward | On September 23, 2017 | Updated May 2, 2023 | Comments (0)
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 – 1896) was the ultimate working mother, obliged to supplement her husband’s meager income to support their large family. Consciously using storytelling as social commentary, Stowe’s overarching theme is of writing passionately for a cause.
Though the literary merits of her work have long been debated, there’s little dispute that Uncle Tom’s Cabin caused a major shift in public perception of slavery. Read More→
By Emma Ward | On September 22, 2017 | Updated December 18, 2022 | Comments (0)
Harriet Beecher Stowe, (1811 –1896) author of the iconic anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852), supported herself, her children and her husband with her literary talent. Following is a selection of quotes from the novels of Harriet Beecher Stowe, a modest author who changed the world with her words.
Stowe came from the Beecher family, a progressive group of siblings who supported her efforts. She was also blessed with the privilege of education, a rarity for women of her time.
At age 39, still in the midst of tending to her large family, Stowe found a way to disseminate the story she had long wanted to tell. She hoped that though storytelling, public awareness of the horrors of slavery would grow and shift national consciousness. Read More→
By Emma Ward | On September 21, 2017 | Updated December 18, 2022 | Comments (2)
Elizabeth von Arnim (1866 – 1941) produced a wealth of quietly (and sometimes subversively) feminist novels and memoirs. She was best known for The Enchanted April (1922), which many decades later became the 1992 film Enchanted April).
During her lifetime, she usually published under simply “Elizabeth.” She had a wry, dry sense of humor, but also displayed a passion for beauty, especially the beauty of gardens. Here are some passionate and pensive quotes by Elizabeth von Arnim: Read More→
By Skyler Gomez | On September 16, 2017 | Updated November 18, 2022 | Comments (0)
Grace Paley‘s literary career encompassed writing about the experiences of women, Jewish life, and teaching at various universities. She was also a poet and received multiple honors for her artistic talent despite not having a college degree. presented here is a selection of quotes by Grace Paley on reading, writing, and living.
Grace Paley: The Collected Stories (2007) encapsulates her style, noting her “quirky, boisterous characters and rich use of language,” and goes on to say:
“Grace Paley’s stories are united by her signature interweaving of personal and political truths, by her extraordinary capacity for empathy, and by her pointed, funny depiction of the small and large events that make up city life.” Read More→
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