One More Spring

by Robert Nathan

Book by Nathan, Robert

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published December 1, 1933

About the author

Robert Gruntal Nathan was born into a prominent New York Sephardic family. He was educated in the United States and Switzerland and attended Harvard University for several years beginning in 1912. It was there that he began writing short fiction and poetry. However, he never graduated, choosing instead to drop out and take a job at an advertising firm to support his family (he married while a junior at Harvard). It was while working in 1919 that he wrote his first novel—the semi-autobiographical work Peter Kindred—which was a critical failure. But his luck soon changed during the 1920s, when he wrote seven more novels, including The Bishop's Wife, which was later made into a successful film starring Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young.

During the 1930s, his success continued with more works, including fictional pieces and poetry. In 1940, he wrote his most successful book, Portrait of Jennie, about a Depression-era artist and the woman he is painting, who is slipping through time. Portrait of Jennie is considered a modern masterpiece of fantasy fiction and was made into a film, starring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten.

In January 1956 the author wrote, as well as narrated, an episode of the CBS Radio Workshop, called "A Pride of Carrots or Venus Well-Served."

Nathan's seventh wife was the British actress Anna Lee, to whom he was married from 1970 until his death. He came from a talented family — the activist Maud Nathan and author Annie Nathan Meyer were his aunts, and the poet Emma Lazarus and Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo his cousins

Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

One More Spring ranks in the top tier of Robert Nathan’s body of work. No one ever forgets a Robert Nathan story after it's read, because whether they are lovely fantasies dusted with ethereal magic, such as Portrait of Jennie, or graced with tender charm and humanity, such as One More Spring, they become more than words on paper, but a part of each reader.

One More Spring is set in the period right before the Great Depression and the Crash, and during and after it. On the surface it is a gentle story of three people struggling to survive during hard times: an antique shop owner who has gone under (Otkar); a musician who can’t find work (Rosenberg); and a tender-hearted prostitute (Elizabeth). But underneath it is a charming and moving tale with much to show us about compassion, kindness, and the ridiculousness of class divisions among society. Even more importantly, One More Spring puts forth the notion that the root of true happiness is not money, but love.

At first, it is just the violinist and the former shop owner. With only a bed that Otkar has managed to keep when all else he owned is lost, the two unlikely companions find shelter in a tool shed in the park, a situation brought about by the groundsman’s (Mr. Sweeny) desire to learn the violin. When Elizabeth comes into their lives and begins living with them in the tool shed, there is some friction between she and the temperamental Rosenberg, but not enough to prevent the older man, Otkar, from developing tender feelings for her.

Adding depth to this magically constructed story is a banker hiding out so he won’t be blamed for its failure, a festive Christmas dinner with Mr. Sweeny and his wife, and a moment when the life of one of this make-shift family is in grave doubt.

The story comes to an end — or perhaps a beginning — in a way which says so much about what is really important in life. Written in a much older narrative style than today's books and stories, it may not be for everyone. But for those who can embrace it, it's a wonderful experience refreshingly different and touching. It will linger in the heart of the reader long afterward.

[Jeffrey Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Nathan at his best. A heart warming tale of people overcoming the difficulties of The Great Depression. Beautifully written.

[Esthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humane, magical little gem about a cast of unlikely characters sheltering together from a harsh winter during the Great Depression. If you are a fan of Cannery Row, you will also love this.

[Steve Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan is the ultimate feel good author, and this is one of his classics. The bizarre story, set in the US depression, is of three people who live in a shed that's situated in a park. It's straightforwardly written with oodles of warmth and atmosphere.

[Samantha Glasser]

This book was filmed in 1935 with the same title. It starred Janet Gaynor and Warner Baxter.

[Flaminia Cinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro dolcissimo, una storiella perfetta da leggere in estate che ti lascia pensierosa. Peccato che Elizabeth e Mr. Otkar si innamorano alla fine, era un po’ scontato :/

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet, if somewhat sentimental, story about three people who are caught in the losses of the depression era. Each of them finds himself without food or shelter and it is through unexpectedly caring for one another that they make their way through the deprivation and sadness of the situation. This is a story about love and not "love". Perhaps all true happiness in life is found in doing for someone else and not for self.

[Steven jb · Rating 2 out of 5]

An odd tale with an unfocused story, and characters that hardly developed.