Myra: The Child of Adoption: Romance of Real Life

by Ann S. Stephens

False friends make trouble between a young wife and her husband in this classic potboiler from the Dime Novel genre. The husband dies and leaves his wife and young daugher, Myra, penniless. Myra is eventually adopted by a wealthy couple and marries, but she finds out about her parent's secrets and spend years fighting to regain her fortune.

129 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Ann Sophia Stephens (March 10, 1810 – August 20, 1886) was an American novelist and magazine editor. She was the author of dime novels and is credited as the progenitor of that genre.
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Reviews

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

An original Beadle Dime novel, kind of a forerunner to Harlequin Romance novels . This one was first published in the 1860's , for women . The duplicity of men and the ruination of a woman's reputation. Same old same old. The actual story bases was far more interesting than the novel.

This novel has it's bases on a true story. It is about Myra Clark Gaines and her Lawsuit against the city of New Orleans. Her father lived his life as a bachelor after her parents gave her up for adoption. Her father's will came into protest due to unscrupulous executors of his $35,000,000 estate. The lawsuit proceeded for fifty something years. She never received a penny, her descendants received a little over $100,000 after all court costs and lawyers fees were paid out. This lawsuit has the distinction of being the longest recorded suit in history.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it a ripoff to buy a dime novel for $10? For a little piece of history, no. If there is such a thing as a "romantic tragedy," this is it. With plots and plans worthy of Shakespeare, the story is a fast and interesting read, though I was a little impatient to read all the descriptive language.