Happy Birthday to Myrtle Reed

Myrtle Reed

Happy birthday to Myrtle Reed!

Today, September 27, 2011 marks the 137th birthday of American author, Myrtle Reed. Although Myrtle Reed is no longer a name you find populating the shelves of your local library or bookstore, she was a highly popular author during the first decade of the 20th century. During this time she penned seventeen novels and a number of cook books (the latter under the pseudonym Olive Green). Her novels are mostly tales of romance, but are unique in that they are crafted with a sense of human nature and sharp wit that is not common among most modern romance authors.

I first learned of Myrtle Reed when a friend recommended I check out one of her favorite stories, A Weaver of Dreams. From the moment I finished A Weaver of Dreams I was hooked. I had found another author I enjoyed and I had to read more of these stories. I've since tracked down and read six of Myrtle Reed's seventeen novels, all of which I have enjoyed. In my opinion, while they aren't classics, they are some lost gems. (Well, most are. There are the exceptions. I've heard, though I haven't read it myself, that Master of the Vineyard is rather depressing. But that novel aside the novels like Lavender and Old Lace, Old Rose and Silver, and At the Sign of the Jack O' Lantern are delightful.)

Which is yet another reason (beyond the obvious) why it's such a shame that Myrtle Reed's life ended so abruptly on August 17, 1911. I know it happens, but still find it shocking that a woman who could pen such lovely stories lived such a miserable and hopeless life -- so hopeless that she chose to end it before her 37th birthday. I sometimes wonder what Myrtle Reed might have accomplished had she led a more happy life or had she lived to a ripe old age. Sadly, we'll never know.

Thankfully though her beautiful storytelling and vim and vinegar wit lives on through her novels. If you haven't already I highly encourage you to check them out. I was able to pick up a few inexpensive used copies online, a few more through Inter Library Loan, and still more thanks to e-book format like Project Gutenberg and Kindle. Some day I'll make the effort (and expense) to track the rest down. To me, if they are anywhere near as good as the six I've read thus far they will be worth the effort.

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Related Links:

Read the books:
Project Gutenberg: Works by Myrtle Reed (Free E-books)
Kindle Store: Myrtle Reed (Priced: $0.00-$3.99)


Audio Books:
LibriVox: Lavender and Old Lace
LibriVox: The Spinster Book


Other Myrtle Reed Book Reviews:
At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern
The Spinster Book
Weaver of Dreams
A Spinner in The Sun
Lavender And Old Lace
The Master's Violin
Old Rose & Silver

Quotes & Book Teasers:
Tuesday Teaser: At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern
Tuesday Teaser: A Spinner in the Sun
Tuesday Teaser: A Weaver of Dreams
Tuesday Teaser: Lavender and Old Lace
Tuesday Teaser: Old Rose & Silver
Romantic Passages: Old Rose & Silver


Who Was Myrtle Reed?
Wikipedia: Myrtle Reed
Online Literature: Myrtle Reed
Chicago Magazine (Aug 2006): Myrtle Reed

At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern by Myrtle Reed

353 pages
Published in 1905 by G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press

It's been a long time since I've reviewed a Myrtle Reed novel. I was first introduced to Ms. Reed in 2009 by a good friend who is also an avid reader. For those unfamiliar with Ms. Reed's writing, she was a best selling author at the turn of the last century who wrote mostly novels, but also dabbled in the art of cook books under the pseudonym, Olive Green.

Ms. Reed's novels are best known for their sweetness and charm as well as their sharp wit and social commentary. Although they are classified as "romance" they are by no means brainless fiction. Ms. Reed weaves together a cast that is both diverse and real-to-life. There is always some moral or social lesson to be taken from the story, but it is served in a way that makes the read more enjoyable rather than turning the reader away.

At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern was published in 1905 and was Ms. Reed's ninth book published and probably one of her funniest.

The Plot:
As the novel opens newlyweds, Harlan and Dorothy Carr arrive at their new home, a strangely built house dubbed by locals: the "Jack O'Lantern." Harlan and Dorothy, who inherited the house and surrounding farm from Harlan's recently deceased Uncle Ebenezer, quickly settle in to their new home, all the while puzzling over the numerous mysteries that surround the house, including a number of bedrooms that appear to have been built haphazardly onto the main house.

Who was this Uncle Ebenezer that Harlan never met and why did he leave the bizarre house to Harlan? The mysteries begin to unravel (and seemingly so does Harlan and Dorothy's marriage) as a number of uninvited guests,who claim to be distant relatives of Uncle Ebenezer, start turning up on the doorstep of the Jack O'Lantern.

What ensues is a summer of bizarre happenings and a mix of hilarious and sometimes painful family scenes, and a few serious moral lessons that all culminate into a most satisfactory ending.

My Thoughts:
I found At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern to be quite different than the other novels by Myrtle Reed that I have read. It seemed much more moralistic, but not in a negative way. In fact, I found the overall story a very enjoyable read. I thought the winding plot was clever and fresh as it kept my interest for the entire book, even through what some might consider the "slow parts." I also enjoyed the character development. As typical Myrtle Reed fashion the characters are diverse with some you love, some you love to hate and some that are just down-right hilarious.

I read somewhere that At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern was adapted to the silver screen in 1922. I imagine it must have been quite a funny and entertaining film, but unfortunately I'll never know, because like so many of the early films it is lost to time and no longer available for viewing.

What I did find while browsing the Internet was a review of this book in the New York Times newspaper from 1905. If you have time be sure to check it out: New York Times Review 1905.

I've now reached the end of Myrtle Reed books that are readily available to me, but there are still at least a half-dozen I've yet to read. As time and funds allow I hope to extend my search and read the rest of her novels. They are charming and entertaining reads that I always enjoy and encourage you to give them a read.

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Related Links:

Read The Book:
Google Books (FREE)
Project Gutenberg (FREE)
Amazon Kindle ($0.99)

Other Myrtle Reed Book Reviews:
The Spinster Book
Weaver of Dreams
A Spinner in The Sun
Lavender And Old Lace
The Master's Violin
Old Rose & Silver

Quotes & Book Teasers:
Tuesday Teaser: At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern
Tuesday Teaser: A Spinner in the Sun
Tuesday Teaser: A Weaver of Dreams
Tuesday Teaser: Lavender and Old Lace
Tuesday Teaser: Old Rose & Silver
Romantic Passages: Old Rose & Silver

Who Was Myrtle Reed?
Wikipedia: Myrtle Reed
Online Literature: Myrtle Reed
Chicago Magazine (Aug 2006): Myrtle Reed

Romantic Passages from Favorite Reads Part V

I had a little difficulty deciding upon my next selection. I wanted a passage from one of Myrtle Reed's novels, but which one? In the end I settled with Old Rose and Silver a charming story set at the turn of the last century. It is a story of unrequited love on the part of the heroine, who, rather than pursue her love selfishly, takes herself away so that the man she loves can be with someone else. The sweetness comes when she discovers not only that the object of her affection has pursued her, but that her love is at last returned. (The hero is a bit dense, but all is right in the end.)

The Book: Old Rose And Silver by Myrtle Reed, Chpt. 24
The Setting: Somewhere in the eastern United States, 1910
The Scene: Allison admits his true feelings for Rose

"Oh, I know,' he flashed back, bitterly. 'I've lost any shadow of right I might ever have had, because I was a blind fool, and I never had any chance anyway. All I can do is to go on loving you, needing you, wanting you; seeing your face before me every hour of the day and night, thirsting for you with every fiber of me. All I have to keep is an empty husk of memory--those few weeks you were kind to me. At least I had you with me though your heart belonged to someone else.'

'Someone else?' she repeated, curiously. The colour was coming back slowly now.

'Yes. Have you forgotten you told me? That day, don't you remember, you said you had loved another man who did not care for you?'

Rose nodded. Her face was like a crimson flower swaying on a slender stem. 'I said,' she began, 'that I had loved a man who did not care for me, and that I always would. Wasn't that it?'

'Something like that. I wish to G-- I could change places with him.'

'Did I,' hesitated Rose, 'are you sure--that I said--another man, or was it just--a man?'

....

'Rose! Rose! Look at me! Tell me, for G--- sake, who he was--or is. I can't bear it!'

She turned toward him. 'Look,' she said, softly. 'Look in my face and see.' For a tense instant he hesitated. Then, with a little cry of joy, he clasped her close forever, having seen his own face mirrored in her happy eyes."

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*At the beginning of the 20th century it was not uncommon for males to have the name "Allison"

Old Rose & Silver (reviewed)

Tuesday Teaser: At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern

"When the book-lover enters his library, no matter what storm and tumult may be in his heart, he has come to the inmost chamber of Peace. The indescribable, musty odour which breathes from the printed page is fragrant incense to him who loves his books. In unseemly caskets his treasures may be hidden, yet, when the cover is reverently lifted the jewels shine with no fading light. The old, immortal beauty is still there, for any one who seeks it in the right way."

(At the Sign of the Jack O' Lantern by Myrtle Reed, Chpt 18, pg 300)

Old Rose & Silver by Myrtle Reed

364 pages
Published 1910
by G. P. Putnam's Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press

Sometimes when I finish a particularly "meaty" read I find myself desiring something light and sweet, like a delicate slice of angel food cake, a "dessert read" if you will. I find it amusing that this year I have found myself picking up a Myrtle reed novel time and time again when I have this craving. In a way it's a little ironic that I would find such enjoyment in the stories of a woman who had such an unhappy ending to her own life. Perhaps Mrs. Reed, like so many lovers of fiction, found her escape from the ugliness of life by creating a world where the hero and heroine do live happily-ever-after and the "bad guy" doesn't win.

I suppose that is why I enjoy fiction so much. It is a way to briefly escape from reality. Not to say that my life is unhappy because nothing could be further from the truth; but it does allow me to set aside the problems or stresses of the day and for a few minutes lose myself in a time and place where the problems are not my own and I know within a few chapters everything will be set right and the characters blissfully happy... (That is, so long as I choose a novel with a happy ending.) Obviously for some people a happy ending is too trite, too unrealistic, but all I can say is -- to each their own.

My most recent "dessert" read by Myrtle Reed is Old Rose & Silver which ranks fairly high on my list of "favorite reads by Reed". The story is set at the turn of the last century and revolves around three women and their close friends. First there is Madam Bernard (a.k.a Aunt Francesca), a widow in her late 60s who is as wise as she is beautiful. Next there is Rose, a 40 year old spinster whose personality is richly warm and who's heart is pure gold. (Rose is the heroine of the story and the one who must bear some very difficult trials.) Last there is Isabel, who is in the bloom of youth at the age of 20 and who is nicknamed "Silver girl" because of her resplendent beauty. The story would be nothing without the addition of four other main characters, particularly the men -- Colonel Kent (a longtime and very dear friend of Francesca's), his son Allison Kent (a gifted violinist and the hero of the story), and the wild but lovable Crosby twins named Romeo and Juliet.

At this point you are probably picking up on some of the humor that Reed has woven into this story. Yes, the twins are indeed named after the couple in William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, but thankfully their parting isn't quite as disastrous. And while it might appear a mistake, Colonel Kent's son IS named Allison. (I checked and apparently pre-WWII the name "Allison" was more commonly used for boys with the occasional exception. It was only in the late 1940s that the switch occurred and it became a popular name attributed to girls.)

Although I found the ending of Old Rose & Silver predictable I didn't know which path the characters would take to get there. It is the journey to this end that makes this story so worthwhile to read. Myrtle Reed's wit and sharp insights into human nature are visible in the rich tapestry of personalities and dialogue. Her love for food and music and nature is evident in her descriptions. And her desire for closure means that in the end everything is as it should be (more or less) and no main character is left without their lose ends tied up neatly. But most of all, the lessons in "loving thy neighbor as thy self" that are woven throughout the novel I found to ring as true today as they did 100 years ago when this book was written or 2000 years ago when they were first given.

As is the case with most of Myrtle Reed's novels there is always some pearl of wisdom that I want to jot down. In Old Rose & Silver the words of counsel that Aunt Francesca shares with Rose were often worth repeating. I quoted one such moment in a recent Tuesday Teaser and here is another:

"Sometimes I think that all of Life is waiting,' she went on, with a little catch in her voice, 'and yet we never know what we were waiting for, unless--when all is done--'

A warm, friendly hand closed over hers. 'Do not question too much, dear friend, for the God who ordained the beginning can safely be trusted with the end, as well as with all that lies between." (Chpt.11, pg 157)

Some might consider Old Rose & Silver a sentimental romance and in some ways it is. It is not the "high-brow" fiction that some distinguished readers would deem to call "literature" of the 20th century, but in my opinion that doesn't mean it isn't worth reading. I think Old Rose & Silver might be better classified as a classic from the "popular fiction" novels of the Edwardian era (1901-1910) -- or in modern terms: Edwardian chic-lit. The Edwardian era is often considered to be a golden era. It was a time when fashion was a thing of beauty and summer evenings would find couples visiting at a garden party, or waltzing to a record on the phonograph, or taking a spin in the new automobile. It was a time before the ugliness of World War I could dampen the blissful outlook that so many Americans held. Because of this, the Edwardian era might be considered the perfect setting for a romance, especially one woven with the tongue-in-cheek wit and inspiring words of wisdom like Myrtle Reed has so skillfully done.

So the next time you're looking for a "dessert read" stop to consider something from another century. You might just be surprised at what you find.

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Related links:
Online Literature E-Book: Old Rose & Silver
Project Gutenberg E-Book: Old Rose & Silver
Public Bookshelf: Old Rose & Silver
Kindle E-Book - Amazon: Old Rose & Silver ($0.00)

Entreaty, A Love Song (Sheet Music)

Other Books & Quotes by Myrtle Reed:
The Spinster Book
Weaver of Dreams
A Spinner in The Sun
Lavender And Old Lace
The Master's Violin

Tuesday Teaser: A Spinner in the Sun
Tuesday Teaser: Lavender and Old Lace
Tuesday Teaser: Old Rose & Silver

Tuesday Teasers: Old Rose and Silver

"Once there was a ship,' said Madame, softly, 'sinking in mid-ocean, surrounded by fog. It had drifted far out of its course, and collided with a derelict. The captain ordered the band to play, the officers put on their dress uniforms and their white gloves. Another ship, that was drifting too, signalled in answer to the music, and all were saved.'

'That was possible -- but there can be no signal for me.'

'Perhaps not, but let's put on our white gloves and order out the band."

(Old Rose and Silver, Chpt. 13, pg 182)

The Spinster Book by Myrtle Reed

222 pages

Published in 1901

G. P. Putnam's Sons

New York and London

The Knickerbocker Press

Up until now I've only reviewed novels by Myrtle Reed, but she was also well known for some non-fiction works (mostly cookbooks). You might consider The Spinster Book in this category as it is not a novel, but more a satirical look at life. Or to be more specific a satirical look at men, women, their relationships, love, courtship, marriage, widow/widowerhood, and the life-long single woman.

When I say satirical I mean Ms. Reed's pen is dipped in truth and told with a serving of salt and vinegar and tongue firmly planted in cheek. And yet, I didn't agree with everything contained in this book. Yes, there were plenty of truths to contemplate, but there were also so misconceptions and a lot of sad and unfortunate views.

Still, I found it fascinating to get a glimpse into the minds of some types of men and women who lived and loved during the earliest years of the 20th century. But what is most valuable about this book is the chance to read and get a better understanding of the inner ticking of Ms. Reed's mind and imagination, both of which led to the creation of the lovable (and sometimes despicable) characters within her novels.

That said, this isn't the book for every reader. If you have a particular interest in the mind of a woman from the early 20th century, you love satirical literature, or if you are a fan of Ms. Reed's novels you will likely find this a fun read. There are plenty of quotable passages and passages that will make you laugh out loud, but this wasn't a book that I would read over and over. I obtained the copy I read from my library's ILL program, but electronic copies are widely available at: The Archive (Librivox audio version), Read Print, Project Gutenberg, Online Literature, and Books Should Be Free (audio).

There are still many novels by Reed that I haven't read and I look forward to them, especially now that I know more about Myrtle Reed's imagination.

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Other Reviews of Myrtle Reed's work:

Weaver of Dreams
A Spinner in The Sun
Lavender And Old Lace
The Master's Violin

Related Links:
Tuesday Teaser: A Spinner in the Sun
Tuesday Teaser: Lavender and Old Lace

The Master's Violin by Myrtle Reed

315 pages
1904, reprinted 1909
G. P. Putnam's Sons --
The Knickerbocker Press

The Master's Violin is the seventh novel by Myrtle Reed, a best selling author of the early 20th century and the fourth that I have read. Up until this point nearly all of Ms. Reed's books that I have read I have picked up with some foreknowledge as to what the story entails, but not so with The Master's Violin. In fact, the very reason that I happened to read it had to do with the simple fact it was one of four books by Reed available through my library's Inter Library Loan program that I had not yet read.

The Master's Violin is set in the early 1900s and somewhere in a German settled town within the state of Pennsylvania. (Note: German immigrants play heavily into this story, including a character or two who speak with heavy accents, which at times make reading their dialogue a bit of a challenge.)

The plot:
After twenty years a widow returns to her childhood home and although she is haunted by her past, she is determined to stay so her grown son can further his musical career at the hands of a local master violinist. What ensues is the love stories of three couples who find each other amidst sadness and loss, bitter memories, forgivenss, love, and new found hope.

My Thoughts:
The Master's Violin is a sweet, yet sad, and at times even a little sappy story. Compared side by side with some of Reed's other novels I'd have to say The Master's Violin isn't quite as memorable. It lacks the same level of wit and spice to the dialogue, plot, and characters that other of her books have contained. Still, I found it to be an enjoyable read and probably best defined as an Edwardian period romance with a pretty ending.

Despite the drawbacks to this book (the occasional accented dialogue, the lacking in wit and spice, the silliness of one female, the snobbishness of another...) I still found the story entertaining, pleasing in it's closure and plenty of passages to jot down in my book of books. Here is one such passage:

"Perhaps if we lived rightly, if our faith were stronger, death would not rend our hearts as it does.'

'Life,' replied Lynn 'is the pitch of the orchestra, and we are the instruments.' Doctor Brinkerhoff nodded. 'Very true. The discord and the broken string of the individual instrument do not affect the work, except as false notes, but I think that God, knowing all things, must discern the symphony, glorious with meaning, through the discordant fragments that we play.'" (Chapter 14, page 183)

All in all, I liked The Master's Violin, but not as much as the other books I've read by Myrtle Reed. I feel rather sorry that I can't give a standing ovation for this novel. I have really enjoyed all of Ms. Reed's books that I have read thus far, but then each one in a different way. I loved Lavender And Old Lace, but in comparison The Master's Violin was only mediocre. Thankfully for someone curious to read this story, but not willing to spend a lot of money there are acceptable copies to be found on Amazon for as little as $0.99. Unfortunately I have not found a decent electronic version of this book. The one website I did find that contained the entire book had font errors and missing words, which made reading nearly impossible.

But don't let my so-so feelings about this novel keep you from reading Myrtle Reed. She wrote some beautiful novels in her time and they are well worth your time.

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Myrtle Reed Related Posts:

Lavender And Old Lace by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)
A Spinner In The Sun by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)
A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)

Lavender And Old Lace by Myrtle Reed

267 pages

Published 1902

G. P. Putnam's Sons

New York and London

"Happiness is not a circumstance, nor a set of circumstances; it's only a light, and we may keep it burning if we will. So many of us are like children, crying for the moon, instead of playing contentedly with the few toys we have. We're always hoping for something, and when it doesn't come we fret and worry; when it does, why there's always something else we'd rather have. We deliberately make nearly all our unhappiness with our own unreasonable discontent, and nothing will ever make us happy, deary, except the spirit within." (Chapter 10, page 147)

To date Lavender And Old Lace stands out as my all-time favorite novel by Myrtle Reed. I loved it.

In a nutshell: this is another classic love lost, love found, love hoped for story by Reed. And like all her works it's also so much more; it has it's share of mystery, drama, and sharp and witty character analysis through description and dialogue. But for anyone expecting just another "boy meets girl" romance this is not that book. It's also not a story about two old women who kill off their tenants like the similarly named Hitchcock film, Arsenic and Old Lace. (No spoiler here, no one is murdered in this book.)

As the novel begins Ruth Thorne, the smart and witty heroine, arrives in a small unnamed seaside village where she is to spend an extended vacation resting (as required by her editor and doctor for her health) and house-sitting for her aunt, who is traveling abroad. When Ruth arrives she is met with one mystery after another. First, after years of near solitude and no traveling what has made her spinster aunt pack up and travel all the way around the world? Then there's the instructions left by her aunt that insist Ruth must place an oil lamp in the attic window each evening until dawn. When Ruth takes time to explore the attic she finds more questions than she does answers. What follows is a story that includes the weaving of several romances -- some lost, some found, some surprising, and some absolutely entertaining. But as the story comes to a close not everything is the typical happily-ever-after.

Still, I believe Myrtle Reed struck gold with Lavender And Old Lace. I loved Ruth's character in this book; she's sharp, witty, and full of spunk. She's also a little unique for the heroines of the early 20th century being that she's a working woman. Likewise, I really enjoyed her male counterpart in the story, Carl. Although their romance was definitely predictable I still loved watching Ruth and Carl's friendship and love develop. They spar and tease and made me laugh out loud. I laughed a lot while reading this story.

I also cried. The ending is a happy one for Ruth and Carl, but it's a tear-jerker in another way, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

As I said, I loved this story. I loved it so much that I ran out and bought a used copy for my own library (available online for as little as $4-$13). But if you're not willing to bite the bullet and pay a few dollars for an ex-library edition there are plenty of other options. You can read the novel online at: Project Gutenberg, Google Books, Public Bookshelf, or Online-Literature. Or for those audio book lovers you can listen listen thanks to BooksShouldBeFree.com.

Up next, my review of The Master's Violin by Myrtle Reed (coming in two weeks, next week another D. E. Stevenson novel).

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Related Links:

Lavender And Old Lace (Tuesday Teasers)

A Spinner In The Sun by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)

A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)

Also, there's little information online about Myrtle Reed's books, but I did discover Wikipedia as an entry for Lavender And Old Lace. But beware! This entry is full of plot spoilers and should not be read until after you've read the book.

A Spinner in the Sun by Myrtle Reed

393 pages

Published 1906

G. P. Putnam's Sons

The Knickerbocker Press

New York and London

I'd almost forgotten about Myrtle Reed until my friend Veronica mentioned she'd read a wonderful story that I HAD to read. Remembering how much I enjoyed A Weaver of Dreams I immediately checked my library to see if a copy of A Spinner in the Sun was available. And as luck would have it, it was available through Inter Library Loan!

Some readers would class A Spinner in the Sun as a romance for on the surface it is the story of two women and their journey to true love and happiness. But I found, in typical Myrtle Reed fashion, this novel contains more than just a love story or two within its pages. Woven seamlessly into the story is a study of the heart: of bitterness and forgiveness; of hope and faith and the total lack thereof; of what could have been and of what is; and of second chances.

It is Evelina, the leading lady and heroine, that the title A Spinner in the Sun refers to. For 25 years prior to the story's opening Evelina was betrayed by love and has since suffered alone and in the dark with scars that cause her to hide he face behind a veil of white chiffon. A Spinner in the Sun is her journey from loss and bitterness to the discovery of hope and faith that lead to forgiveness, true love and pure joy.

The supporting lady within this tale is Araminta (a.k.a Minta), a young woman who has been raised from infanthood by her spinster aunt after the death of her parents. Thanks to her aunt's rather peculiar and alarming views on life Minta reaches adulthood extremely sheltered and with some peculiar outlooks on life and marriage in particular. Enter the dashing prince who must rescue the maiden and help her discover that true love is a worthy thing after all!

Of course A Spinner in the Sun wouldn't be complete without a colorful supporting cast that add depth to the story with their pitiful, despicable, laughable, or lovable personalities and dialogue. Minta's part of the story and her prince charming definitely add to the wittiness of this book and help lighten the mood after dealing with some of the darker and deeper issues and scenes within the story. (*Note within the story there is a suicide and a brief scene of animal cruelty.)

At this point (and at the risk of a bit of a spoiler) I should probably note that while Myrtle Reed seemed to have a gift for capturing the psychology of humans within her novels, including the most lovable and beautiful traits complete with the happily ever afters, she herself was far from happy. Although married and a best-selling author, Myrtle Reed ended her life at the age of 36, listing unhappiness and her husband's ill treatment of her as her reasons. I can't help but think some of the emotions and issues Myrtle addresses within A Spinner in the Sun were emotions and issues she found in her own self and own life. It's just a shame she wasn't able to reach the same point of happiness that her heroines do.

Overall I enjoyed A Spinner in the Sun. It isn't just another early 20th century version of chic-lit. It's a worthy read for those looking for a somewhat unconventional 20th century romance. Not able to find a printed copy through your library? No worries, FREE electronic copies are available at Achieve.org, OpenLibrary.org, and ManyBooks.net. Or you can purchase a copy through various online sellers.

Stay tuned for my next Myrtle Reed review, Lavender and Old Lace, which will be posted next week.

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Related Links:

Review: A Weaver of Dreams

Tuesday Teasers: A Spinner in the Sun

Tuesday Teasers: Lavender and Old Lace

Tuesday Teasers: Lavender and Old Lace

"The rain beat steadily upon the roof and dripped from the eaves. The light made distorted shadows upon the wall and floor, while the bunches of herbs hanging from the rafters, swung lightly back and forth when the wind rattled the windows and shook the old house. The room seemed peopled by the previous generation, that had slept in the massive mahogany bed, rocked in the chairs, with sewing or gossip, and stood before the old dresser on tiptoe, peering eagerly into the mirror which probably had hung above it. It was if memory sat at the spinning wheel idly twisting the thread and bringing visions of the years gone by."

(Lavender and Old Lace by Myrtle Reed, Chpt 2, pg. 24)

Tueday Teaser: A Spinner in the Sun

I couldn't decide between two quotes from a book I recently read, so I decided to give you not one, but two teasers today thus making today Double Teaser Tuesday!

Enjoy!

"The scorn which Miss Mehitable managed to throw into the word "married" indicated that the state was the crowning ignominy of the race. The girl's cheek flamed into crimson, for her own mother had been married, and everybody knew it. Sometime the deep disgrace seemed almost too much for Araminta to endure." (A Spinner in the Sun by Myrtle Reed, Chpt. 5, pg. 66)

"From a distant thicket came a robin's cherry call, a glimmer of blue wings flashed across the desolate garden, a south wind stirred the bending, icy branches to a tinkling music, and she knew that Spring had come to all but her." (Chpt. 6, pg. 80)

A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed

I first learned of A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed (McCullough) through my friend Veronica. She had been given a copy by her grandmother and fell in love with the turn-of-the-century (1911) romance. Based upon her recommendation alone, knowing nothing else of book or author, I tracked down a copy to read in time for Valentine's Day, as mentioned in my recent Friday Finds post.

As the novel opens, young and very beautiful Margery Gordon has recently been orphaned after the death of her father and has just arrived in a small country town to live with Martin Chandler, a middle-aged wheel-chair bound friend of her father. Very shortly after her arrival Margery meets Judith Sylvester, a neighbor who comes to her rescue and the two become fast friends. It is then through Judith that Margery becomes acquainted with Miss Cynthia Bancroft, Judith's middle-aged crippled aunt, and Carter Keith, Judith's dashing and devoted fiance. What begins for Margery as a quiet and simple life quickly becomes complicated and soon the reader is swept up in a tale of mysterious pasts and difficult matters of the heart. It is a bittersweet tale of love lost and love found.

A Weaver of Dreams might be categorized as "Edwardian chick lit," but unlike modern chick-lit, it is contains more than the warm-fuzzy scenes. It is not on par with classics by Dickens or Austen, but Reed's dialog is witty and cynical and her prose influential. Valuable lessons in honesty, loyalty, and sacrificial love are woven into the story, yet without sermonizing the reader or detracting from the entertainment factor of the novel.


I find it fascinating that while I'd never heard of Myrtle Reed (McCullough), at the turn of the last century she was a best selling author of over 30 books, including a series of cook books under the pseudonym Olive Green. While Reed dabbled in writing poetry and articles for newspapers she became best known for her stories of romance. It is sad though, that after writing such popular stories of love and happily-ever-after endings she didn't have one herself. To learn more about Mrs. McCullough please see the note at the end of this post.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate A Weaver of Dreams a 4. Overall I really enjoyed this novel. I am definitely interested in reading more of Reeds works and encourage fans of chick-lit, romance, or older books in general to be on the lookout for A Weaver of Dreams or other books by Reed. Because all of her works are out of print it may prove hard to find them, but on the other hand because she is fairly unknown used copies should prove relatively inexpensive and may be available at used book stores, library book sales, and online.

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Note: For those curious you can find more information about Myrtle Reed (McCullough)'s life and works at Online-Literature and in a 2006 Chicago Mag article. Also a full listing of all her published works can be found at Wikipedia. Two of her more famous works, Lavender and Old Lace (1902) and A Spinner in the Sun (1906) can be read online. And last, excerpts from her cook books can be found at Chest of Books.

Tuesday Teasers: A Weaver of Dreams

" 'Take me into the library and bring the light to the bookcase.' For half an hour or longer he sought vainly among books, behind books, and in desk and table-drawers that had not been opened for a long time. His man helped him into bed, arranged the reading-lamp upon the table near him, put the bell and the pitcher of water within his reach, and went into his own little room adjoining. Presently the house was quiet, save for the striking clocks, but while the lantern burned at the cross-roads, another light burned too. Impatient, and bitterly rebellious, Chandler sat up in bed until sunrise, reading through his entire list of 'People Who Are Worse Off Than I Am.' "
(~ A Weaver of Dreams, Chapter III, page 45)