Do you want the good news first or the bad news? Okay, good news. I discovered a great book whilst browsing the stacks this week and by an author you may well be familiar with and perhaps have even read. I checked it out and started reading, and very contentedly was working away on Christopher Morley's Kitty Foyle.
The bad news is: a cursory glance through the book one day ended in the discovery of not one page torn from the book but two--so a total of four pages of text missing (and maybe more?). I thought at first it might have simply been an accident, but the second missing page is ripped clean from the spine of the book. I'm so disappointed--not only for myself and other possible readers but am disappointed that someone would deface a book in such a way and ruin someone else's reading experience.
An American author writing during the first half of the twentieth century, Christopher Morley was quite prolific. He was a journalist, wrote novels, essays and poems and is (according to the wikipedia) best known for his 1939 novel Kitty Foyle. I, however, had only been familiar with two earlier novels, which are still in print: Parnassus on Wheels and The Haunted Bookshop, both books for booklovers that rank up there with 84 Charing Cross Road. He published over a hundred works and my library has fifteen of them. The New York Times called Kitty Foyle "sparkling" in an October 1939 review, and an ad describes the book thus:
"To speak of this book as having an 'author' is almost irrelevant. This is Kitty Foyle, speaking for herself... Kitty Foyle, representative of a generation of women who were children in the 1920s and girls in the 1930s, and who have known a special kind of joy and trouble."
"That the story of Kitty Foyle, thought by herself to herself, would never intentionally be put on paper, is obvious. That is why Christopher Morley does it."
It must have been quite a hit upon publication as my library's edition was in the seventh printing in December 1939 after having only been published in October of the same year. There are two due date slips still attached inside and judging by the many dates stamped it was heavily circulated from 1954 to 1984 (previous date due slips may have been removed). The poor book has also been mended so at least other readers were able to enjoy it even if I will likely have to look for another source for this particular title (I can at least read through the first ripped page while I search for another copy). I love this era of history and the novel seems representative of the period, so I'm naturally curious to read it.
Kitty Foyle was also adapted into a movie in 1940 and nominated for Academy Awards in several categories, which resulted in an award for best actress Ginger Rogers (her only Oscar). It was also made into a radio play and TV soap opera. I thought I'd share the trailer for the movie.
Although I didn't bring it home with me, I also pulled from the library's shelf Christopher Morley's New York, which is a collection of essays written after WWI. I only wish I had thought to bring it home with me over the long weekend, but it's always nice to have books to look forward to later. And it's not as though I have nothing else to read!
I had no idea Morley wrote so many books! I have read and enjoyed his two book books but never thought about looking into anything else. I hope you can find an undamaged copy because I'd love to know whether his lighthearted style from his book books is how he writes in general or if he affects a more serious tone.
Posted by: Stefanie | May 27, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Oh, this breaks one's heart to see. I hope there are no other pages torn.
Is this set in Chicago? I ask because the page that is torn has Chicago locales and newspaper mentioned. Whether or not isn't important as I am a silly ol' gal. You have piqued my curiosity on Kitty Foyle and Christopher Morley, an author I am sad to say I have not as yet read.
Posted by: Penny | May 27, 2011 at 09:13 AM
I've heard of Kitty Foyle..I feel like there has been a TV series recently but I might be getting confused with something else. This sounds wonderful - I've just done a google search - and I shall try and find a cheap copy to read.
WHAT a shame about the ripped page. It could have been an accident I suppose but I hate the fact they didn't report it - the book could have been replaced and you would not have had your reading pleasure ruined!
Posted by: Rachel | May 27, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Accidents can happen but how frustrating! I have a special wishlist of terrible things that can happen to people who take implements like razor blades to books so they can have recipes all to themselves.
And that trailer is priceless! You tell 'em, Kitty!
Posted by: Darlene | May 27, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Stefanie--I broke down and bought a used copy so will read this until I get my own. He was quite prolific, wasn't he? There are a number of his books on Project Gutenberg (though not Kitty unfortunately), so I might have to download a few of those! Kitty is pretty sassy, so I'm not sure how serious the book will be though I think he writes about some difficult topics. More later! ;)
Penny--I hope not, too. I only found two flipping through the book, but I'm not sure what will happen to this copy since it is missing pages--a pity! It begins in Philadelphia, which is where Morley was born and moves to NYC. I'm not sure what the Chicago references are yet--I haven't gotten quite that far.
Rachel--Maybe it's something that has been on Turner Classics or something as it was made into a TV show. I ordered a used copy myself so I can read it (I can't stand the thought of skipping pages). I've got too many ILL books on hand already so I better not request another and there seem to be lots of cheap copies out there--I'm sure you'll find one as well. It's too bad about the ripped pages--maybe my library will try and replace it--fingers crossed.
Darlene--Recently someone in circulation brought a book back to my department with a book in the same situation--a page had been ripped out--when I asked how that happened he answered only the patron's grandchild had got hold of it. Oops! At least they were good to own up to it so it would end up on the shelf with missing pages! Weird things happen in libraries, but I am sure I don't need to tell you that! :) Isn't the trailer great--so very 1940s-ish. And yes, Kitty is very spirited!
Posted by: Danielle | May 27, 2011 at 02:14 PM
Isn't that a coincidence - I was just thinking about this book today! I noticed in the tube that a new edition of The Best Of Everything was being advertised, so I went to the bookshop to check it out and re-read the introduction, where Rona Jaffe says she wrote The Best of Everything because a publisher wanted an updated Kitty Foyle. Now I really want to read KF. Fortunately the library has two copies - hopefully not defaced as yours was. I've never had that experience with a library book but I do have some old paperbacks which are coming apart and there's nothing more annoying than not being able to re-read because one or two pages have dropped out.
Posted by: Miss Moppet | May 27, 2011 at 02:21 PM
Miss Moppet--How interesting. I have that Jaffe novel and I had no idea that there was any connection with Kitty Foyle. I had heard the Jaffe was being reissued and seems to be getting attention in the UK right now. I will have to dig out my copy of that as well. I am getting a used copy of Kitty and will read what I have in the interim. It's too bad this book didn't just have loose pages but when they are missing entirely there is nothing to be done except replace the book--or tip in photocopied pages (perhaps more trouble than it's worth to do so).
Posted by: Danielle | May 27, 2011 at 02:35 PM
A book ripper... Can you believe it. I wonder what made the person do that?
The Haunted Bookshop sounds interesting. I wasn't familiar with the author but will keep it in mind, especially since you mention it together with 84, Charing Cross Road.
Posted by: Caroline | May 28, 2011 at 02:06 AM
Oh its so sad when this happens. Its happened to me couple of times where I have bought a second hand book and have found pages missing ( not ripped off though - just pages that seem to have fallen away).
But thanks for introducing me to new writers. Kitty Foyle seems like an interesting novel
Posted by: Vipula | May 28, 2011 at 09:28 PM
How annoying! I have had two books from the library this past year where the same set of pages had been bound in twice and another set missed out altogether and when the library got me another copy the same thing had happened there. There is nothing more annoying than not being able to piece together a story once you've started it.
Posted by: Annie | May 29, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Love it just because my mom's latest cat is named Kitty Foyle and so many people ask her why!
I am glad you found another copy of the book.
Posted by: pburt | May 29, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Caroline--I thought maybe the first ripped page was only an accident, but then another page has been pulled completely out, which makes me wonder if it was intentional? I think there is something about an abortion in the book, so perhaps someone was offended? I'll be curious to see what those pages contain when I get my own copy! The other Morley books are about a bookstore and a traveling bookstore, so I think they would appeal to anyone who loves books.
Vipula--It is sad to see this--I am just happy that I discovered it before I had read all the way to the ripped page! I'm looking forward to finally reading Kitty Foyle-too bad it has gone out of print, but at least a few books by the author are still available.
Annie--That's happened to me at work--I can understand one book bound incorrectly, but you would think the second one--if it was a replacement would not have that problem. I've set the book aside as I don't think I'll be able to read a damaged copy--I'll wonder too much what I've missed on those pages! I did find a good used copy so hopefully it will arrive in the mail quickly. Strange things happen when books are published sometimes, but this seems particularly nasty if it was on purpose.
Pburt--How cool. Kitty seems a feisty character and fitting for a cat! :) Can't wait to get my own copy as am very curious about reading it!
Posted by: Danielle | May 29, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Oh that poor book! It looks so dreadful, doesn't it? Who would do such a thing? I'd love to read Christopher Morley as I've heard such good things about his well-known novels. But he's so hard to get hold of in the UK. Time for Persephone to reissue his work, I think!
Posted by: litlove | May 30, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Litlove--Poor Kitty will be going back to the library this week and her fate will have to be decided by the librarian in charge of the collection. I fear she may be chucked out but I hope a replacement might be found. I think he was very popular over here when he was publishing, but most of his works have gone out of print. Maybe you'll come across Parnassus on Wheels or The Haunted Bookshop when your working at the Amnesty International bookstore! It could be dangerous being around those books!
Posted by: Danielle | May 30, 2011 at 02:28 PM
Poor little book! Sounds like a great story, so why would someone treat it so roughly?
Posted by: Constance Reader | June 10, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Constance Reader--Happily my library will be getting a replacement for it when we are able to order again in our new fiscal year come July 1! Not sure what happened--on page could have been an accident, but two?
Posted by: Danielle | June 12, 2011 at 03:44 PM