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Contrary Mary
The big house, standing on a high hill which overlooked the city, showed in the moonlight the grotesque outlines of a composite architecture. Originally it had been a square substantial edifice of Colonial simplicity. A later and less restrained taste had aimed at a castellated effect, and certain peaks and turrets had been added. Three of these turrets were excrescences stuck on, evidently, with an idea of adornment. The fourth tower, however, rounded out and enlarged a room on the third floor. This room was one of a suite, and the rooms were known as the Tower Rooms, and were held by those who had occupied them to be the most desirable in the barn-like building.
- GenresFiction
332 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Temple Bailey
104 books12 followersKnown as "Queen of the Romantic Novel", Irene Temple Bailey was born in Petersburg, Virginia. Her childhood was spent in Washington, D.C., and she attended a girls' school in Richmond, Virginia. In the early 1900s, she had her fiction published in national magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Cavalier Magazine, Cosmopolitan, American Magazine, McClure's, Woman's Home Companion, Good Housekeeping, and McCall's.
Her success with short stories inspired her to try her hand at books, and her first novel, Judy, was published in 1907. She eventually wrote over 25 best-selling books and became one of the most successful authors of her time. Later she also ventured into screenwriting; in 1914 she wrote the screenplay for the Vitagraph Studios film Auntie.
Temple Bailey is probably most famous for her short story, "A Parable of Motherhood."
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
Her success with short stories inspired her to try her hand at books, and her first novel, Judy, was published in 1907. She eventually wrote over 25 best-selling books and became one of the most successful authors of her time. Later she also ventured into screenwriting; in 1914 she wrote the screenplay for the Vitagraph Studios film Auntie.
Temple Bailey is probably most famous for her short story, "A Parable of Motherhood."
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2009
Went back to the library to explore some more Temple Bailey books.
It is fascinating to read the point of view of an author who saw woman's suffrage begin, when the only occupations you found women in outside of the home were teacher or stenographer.
Her characters have depth, come to see God in their life in simple and profound ways, and they learn how to become their fullest selves.
I enjoyed Contrary Mary a great deal. One of my favorite parts is a discussion about men showing interest in how women dress and present themselves and women starting to go out into the working world. The discussion takes a turn that I had never thought of before.
"That's the funny part of it," Cousin Patty ventured; "women are taking up men's work, and men are taking up women's-it is all topsy turvy."
The little artist pondered. "Perhaps in the end they'll understand each other better."
"Do you think they will?"
"Yes," The woman who does a man's work learns to know what fighting means. The man who makes a study of feminine things begins to see back of what has seemed mere frivolity and love of admiration a desire for harmony and beauty, and self-expression. Some day women will come back to simplicity and the home, because they will have learned things from men and will have taught things to men, and by mutual understanding each well choose the best." (p. 319)
I love this idea. That women can learn what fighting is and men can learn that women are not necessarily frivolous but have a desire to create and beautify their world. And that these two things can bring them closer as they both choose the best role for their natures and treasure the others efforts. It's sad that Bailey's suggestion that eventually we would return women to the home and understand one another better hasn't happened in many instances.
However, I admit to sometimes feeling like my husband has the "easy" role out in the "adult"world while I struggle with children at home. This discussion reminded me once more that he is "fighting" (especially in this economy) and that he is my knight (cheesy I know) and that it's okay for me to have a desire to beautify myself, and my home to create harmony.
It is fascinating to read the point of view of an author who saw woman's suffrage begin, when the only occupations you found women in outside of the home were teacher or stenographer.
Her characters have depth, come to see God in their life in simple and profound ways, and they learn how to become their fullest selves.
I enjoyed Contrary Mary a great deal. One of my favorite parts is a discussion about men showing interest in how women dress and present themselves and women starting to go out into the working world. The discussion takes a turn that I had never thought of before.
"That's the funny part of it," Cousin Patty ventured; "women are taking up men's work, and men are taking up women's-it is all topsy turvy."
The little artist pondered. "Perhaps in the end they'll understand each other better."
"Do you think they will?"
"Yes," The woman who does a man's work learns to know what fighting means. The man who makes a study of feminine things begins to see back of what has seemed mere frivolity and love of admiration a desire for harmony and beauty, and self-expression. Some day women will come back to simplicity and the home, because they will have learned things from men and will have taught things to men, and by mutual understanding each well choose the best." (p. 319)
I love this idea. That women can learn what fighting is and men can learn that women are not necessarily frivolous but have a desire to create and beautify their world. And that these two things can bring them closer as they both choose the best role for their natures and treasure the others efforts. It's sad that Bailey's suggestion that eventually we would return women to the home and understand one another better hasn't happened in many instances.
However, I admit to sometimes feeling like my husband has the "easy" role out in the "adult"world while I struggle with children at home. This discussion reminded me once more that he is "fighting" (especially in this economy) and that he is my knight (cheesy I know) and that it's okay for me to have a desire to beautify myself, and my home to create harmony.
February 2, 2016
I love the old-fashioned charm and idealism of Temple Bailey's novels. There is such a warm beauty about them. Her eye for detail is wonderful too. This is one of my favourites.
June 7, 2022
Mary was contrary because she didn't want to marry someone she did not love for money. Yep. That's what will make you contrary in 1914. Mary also didn't want her aunt to care for her--she wanted to be independent and marry a man whose dreams she could share in.
I actually read this twice because I liked it so much the first time. The second time paled a bit, but that should be expected, after all it wasn't that great the first time. I liked Mary and I liked her romantic interest, Roger. I thought Roger a bit wimpy but again I am judging him from modern standards--we are not as scandalized by things as they were in 1914, which is for better or perhaps for ill.
The book goes in ways that you don't expect and has a strong subplot about Mary's brother, reflecting on strength of character and how you can love someone despite their flaws. It also has a good cast of characters surrounding Mary, one with a Svengali relationship with an artist, asking the question can you be formed by how you act or dress?
Really, this book has a lot to offer about everything: feminism, love, family, and virtue. It may be belittled as a romance, but it is as good a treatise on how to live your life as any boring philosophy book, with the added attraction of a mysterious young man renting the tower room. Who can he be?
I actually read this twice because I liked it so much the first time. The second time paled a bit, but that should be expected, after all it wasn't that great the first time. I liked Mary and I liked her romantic interest, Roger. I thought Roger a bit wimpy but again I am judging him from modern standards--we are not as scandalized by things as they were in 1914, which is for better or perhaps for ill.
The book goes in ways that you don't expect and has a strong subplot about Mary's brother, reflecting on strength of character and how you can love someone despite their flaws. It also has a good cast of characters surrounding Mary, one with a Svengali relationship with an artist, asking the question can you be formed by how you act or dress?
Really, this book has a lot to offer about everything: feminism, love, family, and virtue. It may be belittled as a romance, but it is as good a treatise on how to live your life as any boring philosophy book, with the added attraction of a mysterious young man renting the tower room. Who can he be?
June 10, 2015
This is an old fashioned story and may not appeal to many modern readers. My copy is 100 years old, printed in 1915. The story is set about 1912-1913. Mary Ballard is trying to keep the family home in Washington DC, keep her brother under control and away from alcohol, and keep her heart intact while dealing with more than one suitor. She is brave, willing to work outside of the home at a time when women, especially a "lady" never left her domestic domain. She refuses to give her heart in exchange for ease and comfort. I loved how Mary inspired those around her to become their best selves, to look for ways in which to serve. Lovely story.
October 6, 2007
I didn't really read this.
Want to read
July 31, 2014Read this book for free through Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17938/...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews