Lost in the Stacks: Vein of Iron

Ever since last summer when Kathy at Catching Happiness wrote about Ellen Glasgow's Barren Ground (a book I own myself--a lovely old Modern Library edition that I found at a library sale), I've meant to give her a try.  Glasgow is another author who was immensely popular at one time, even won the Pulitzer in 1942, but then faded away into obscurity.  By and large her works are no longer in print, though a few are available from the University of Virginia Press (including Vein of Iron), a handful more can be bought in reprint/reproduction editions and a few can be had for free as ebooks.

A native of Virginia, she was schooled at home and published her first book at the age of twenty-four in 1897.  It sounds as though she was particularly adept and was most skilled at writing about life in Virginia and the contemporary South.  Her later works also dealt with female independence (she was a suffragette for a time).  She published nearly two dozen works, and my library owns most of them.

Although I should probably have chosen one of her better known or admired works, I liked the sound of Vein of Iron, which was one of her last books published.  The story takes place in the mid-1920s and 1930s.  Ada Fincastle falls in love with Ralph McBride, but her happiness is shattered when he's seduced into marrying another girl.  Instead of love she turns to work to find fulfillment, but in the end she finds a more mature love.  About Vein of Iron, Glasgow wrote:

"For once in Southern fiction the betrayed woman would become the victor instead of the victim."

From the reviews I've read this is a book that begins slowly but builds, but is well worth the the time and effort spent.  The review appearing in the New York Times in 1935 called this a story of "striking depth and power".

"This novel is beautifully written.  Ellen Glasgow has made herself, from inauspicious beginnings, one o the finest prose stylists of her time.  There is in America, no novelist, and few writers of any other description, who can vie with her in the felicitous phrase, carrying its core sharply perceived truth or slowly garnered wisdom.  She is, without a doubt, the most fruitfully thoughtful, as she is, upon occasion, the wittiest novelist that this country has yet produced."

High praise indeed.  I'm most curious about the setting, rural Virginia as well as how life is depicted in American during WWI and after during the Depression.  Glasgow is known more for her highly developed characters and vivid settings than for a fast moving plot.  And sometimes that's really preferable. 

Comments

[Teresa]

I've never even heard of Ellen Glasgow, and I've lived in Virginia all my life. I took a look and Project Gutenberg has several of her books. I'm especially intrigued that one of them is set on Virginia tobacco farm because I grew up on a tobacco farm. I'll have to investigate her further.

[Caroline]

This sounds nice. I like the picture on the cover as well. Thoughtful and witty, the era and the setting. There is a lot to like.

[Kathy Johnson]

I'm so glad you chose this book. Barren Ground has stayed with me, and I definitely would like to read more of Glasgow's work. She's definitely worth reading.

[Danielle]

Teresa--I came across her somewhere online or read about her. I've always meant to go look at her books as I've heard good things about her. She seems to have totally faded from memory, however. I didn't know you were from VA--it could be fun to read her since the settings will be familiar. It looks like the University of VA Pr still publishes a few of her books.

Caroline--It does sound good. It sounds too, as though she was well received when she was alive. As I've got one of her books on hand, I'll be reading her at some point!

Kathy--I remember your post and knew I had to go pull her books from the shelf eventually. I'm glad you liked her book--I'm looking forward to reading her.

[Jennifer Dee]

I also have never heard of Ellen Glasgow but I love the sound of her. I have just ordered 'Barren Ground' over on Amazon. Looking forward to this one.

[litlove]

This is one of the very few of your lost in the stacks authors that I have heard of. A couple of years ago I was intrigued by her and tried to get hold of one of her novels. I gave up in the end as she is so hard to come by here, and in consequence rather expensive. I'd be very interested to know what you think of her though, as if you like her, I'd consider it worth setting out on a hunt again!

[Danielle]

Jennifer--I wonder what I did with my copy of Barren Ground--I must dig it out. This story sounded interesting to me as well! Let me know what you think of it!

Litlove--I think most of her works are out of print--and she is probably better known (as far as that goes) here than anywhere else. I'll certainly post about anything I read by her--I definitely want to read something at some point and am happy to have found one of her books used.

[Stefanie]

I suppose not even Pulitzer prize winners are immune from being forggoten. This sounds like a really interesting book. I look forward to hearing more about it as you read!

[Danielle]

Stefanie--I think you're right--there are probably loads of award winning authors who have just faded away. I guess that's just how it goes over time--readers are so fickle, aren't we? I'm looking forward to reading her and will certainly write about whichever book I pick up!