Life, 1907-04-11 · page 23 of 24
Life — April 11, 1907 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page critiques the declining presence of female novelists in popular literature. The left column laments that prominent women writers like Bertha Runkle, Beatrice Harraden, and Mary Murfree have faded from prominence. The author notes that in February's best-selling novels in England, only one author was a woman; in America, "the supreme six" bestselling authors include none. The piece sarcastically questions: has the "lovely woman" lost her grip on novel-writing? Why has she abandoned what was deemed "the one supreme expression...of modern thought"? The satire targets both the male literary establishment's dominance and, implicitly, women's retreat from serious literary production. The remainder of the page contains advertisements and publishing industry commentary—primarily filler material around the central critique of gender disparity in popular fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
GF —- hee Zo. S LOVELY woman losing her grip on litera-chewer ? Has the pen fallen from the hand that rocked the cradle in the in- tervals of novel-making? Is the produc- tion of fiction no longer her chief function ? What has become of Bertha Runkle, and Beatrice Harraden and Mary Murfree? Burning questions these. Since it was duly resolved that the novel is the one supreme expression and all-sufficient’ vehicle of modern thought—the best medium for philosophy and fancy, science and sanita- tion, ratiocination and religion, economics and the ideal—woman has seen her duty and has done it. Why is she beginning to shirk it now? Why, oh, why, is she no longer on the job? Observe the names of novelists whose works were most in demand in England during February: J London, Max Pemberton, A. E. W. Mason, Mrs. Croker, “G. A. Birmingham,” Richard Bagot Only one woman, as far as we are aware. Here in America it is no better. The su- preme six were Ralph Connor, Harold MacGrath, Lucas Malet, Oppenheim, McCutcheon, White and Adams. Not one American woman! We await with bated breath the publication of the latest report I APPEARS from the publisher's an- nouncement that F. Hopkinson Smith’s new book, to be issued in the spring, “has calculated to pique curiosity— ed Lady and Other Men and Women.” Mr. Smith’s “calculation” was more than mathematically correct as far as we are concerned. We are not merely curious but feverishly impatient to learn what he means by the title. “The Bearded Lady and Other Men,” etc., might have passed as a sly, sophisticated allusion to the petty deceptions of the side-show ; but “The Veiled Lady and Other Men” must prove to be a poser even to the learned author of ‘The Determination of Sex.” Pending elucidation, we have filed the title in our scrap-book under the appropriate heading: “Trish Bulls and Other Galli- IPLING’S “ West, and er the twain meet” was recently transformed by a} York newspaper compositor into “never the train shall meet” suggesting a pla upon the mathematical definition of paral- lel lines. “But parallel lines do meet,” said the railroad editor, who was invited to join in the laugh at the literary critic’s “If you don’t believe me, ask H. Harriman.” 218 Office Building Japan @ Artistic in taste and temperament, give expression to their sentimen duction and reproduction of flowers, trees and birds. their love for the beautiful. the art wares in American shops, never understand the spirit of Japan until you go there. Nortuern Paciric RatLway, or Great Northern Steamship Co. W. C. THORN, Trav. Pass'r Agt.. 209 Adams St.. Chic: W. A, ROSS. Ass't Gen'l Passenger Agent, Seattle. Washington. nt, St. Paul, Minnesota. 201 Washington St. and 207 Old South Building. 319 and 379 Broadway. A. L. CRAIG. General Passenger / BOSTON: NEW YORK: PHILADELPHIA 836 an The Cherry Blossom, Chrysanthemum and other flower festivals are public demonstrations of You may read histories and guide books of Japan; listen to entertaining lectures and study Illustrated literature, descriptive of this delight- ful trip and information regarding cost, furnished by any agent of the Great NorTHeRN RatLway, and 208 South Clark St. the Japanese in the pro- but you can . Minois, 1 Chestnut St PONY RIGS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS} Nothing else could give your children so much pleas styles. stros terial, orig Bobby and 1 ship Mastrated MICHIGAN BUGGY CO. | Kalamazoo, Mich. | JENNER & COMPANY 55 BROADWAY. NEW | Telephone M030.4031 Kertar = + Undivided Estates Exclusively YORK (able Address * demmtaann” UNDIVIDED ESTATES { MORTON TRUST COMPANY Capital, . - - Surplas and Undivided Profits, $8,034,067.97 Thomas F. Ry: James K. Cort Levi P. Morton Paul D. Cravath Thomas F. Rvan c Charles I Allen Edward J. Berwind 38 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK - $2,000,000.00 OFFICERS: Levi PMc resident 1. Vice-Pres Charles H. Allen, Vice Pres. Pre HM. Francis, Secretary. ravath, Counsel EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Haven . Jarvie bit Jacob Harry Payne Whitney