Description

Atherton (1857-1948) was an American author, many of whose novels were set in her home state of California. An early feminist, her novels often feature strong heroines who strive to achieve independent lives, undoubtedly a reaction to her own stifling marriage, although her husband's death allowed her to pursue a literary career. In addition to novels, she wrote short stories, essays and articles for magazines and newspapers on issues such as feminism, politics and war. She was strong-willed, independent-minded and sometimes controvesial, crusading for many of the key intellectual freedom issues of her day, and remained throughout a long creative life a true friend to fellow writers. This novel was first published in 1912.