Devota, by Augusta Evans Wilson, Illustrations by Stuart Travis. (1907) [Leather Bound]

by Augusta Jane Evans Wilson

Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden leaf printing on spine. This book is printed in black & white, Sewing binding for longer life, where the book block is actually sewn (smythe sewn/section sewn) with thread before binding which results in a more durable type of binding. Reprinted in 2022 with the help of original edition published long back 1907. As this book is reprinted from a very old book, there could be some missing or flawed pages. Resized as per current standards. We expect that you will understand our compulsion with such books. If it is multi volume set, then it is only single volume. 142 Devota, by Augusta Evans Wilson, illustrations by Stuart Travis. Evans, Augusta J.

142 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Augusta Jane Wilson, or Augusta Evans Wilson, (May 8, 1835 – May 9, 1909) was an American Southern author and one of the pillars of Southern literature. She wrote nine novels: Inez (1850), Beulah (1859), Macaria (1863), St. Elmo (1866), Vashti (1869), Infelice (1875), At the Mercy of Tiberius (1887), A Speckled Bird (1902), and Devota (1907). Given her support for the Confederate States of America from the perspective of a Southern patriot, and her literary activities during the American Civil War, she can be deemed as having contributed decisively to the literary and cultural development of the Confederacy in particular, and of the South in general, as a civilization.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to the usual Augusta Evans books, this is a mere short story. There is not time for the detail she usually spent on her writing, and yet the story is still excellent, and short and sweet little love story, with a few characteristic political points thrown in for good measure (after all, it wouldn't be Augusta Evans if she didn't make a political point and refer to Hebrew or some other ancient language for some reason!). I enjoyed the quick read--and the pictures were gorgeous!

[Sheryl Stinchcum · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with all of Augusta Evans Wilson's books, "Devota" is beautifully written. The colorful illustrations are extraordinary. The most amazing thing about the book is that Augusta dictated it to her niece.

"Devota" is the last of Augusta's nine novels. She was in her 70s when she dictated it because she could not see well enough to write.

I had some difficulty getting into the story, but--as always--her writing style was smooth and flawless. What a career! What a writer! The very best.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Based on what I have read about the author, my expectations for this book were high. I was greatly disappointed. Minimal character development and no plot line to keep the reader interested. My book is a first edition and the biggest enjoyment I had in reading this was holding the book, touching such a high level of paper stock, and thinking of the history of those who first owned it. The illustrations were nice but overall this is not a book I would recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Augusta Evans Wilson’s Devota is a novella of “Beaux, Belles and Brains.” situated in “the era of sensational fads and whimsies, and of spectacular philanthropic feats…For the war had not yet blown away the clouds that hid it and set it as a fixed blaze in the constellation of Immortality.”

“An American clergyman went with them to the front of the Church of Ste. Devota, and married them there–while the January festival procession in honor of the saint thronged the church. That explains the singular misnomer of your friend’s baptismal label–Devota. The soul of the girl martyr, whose burial was dove conducted, was supposed to hover in benediction over the nuptial ceremony, hence the only child of this marriage was christened Devota.”

“Her character…seems to most of us an enigma…an attempt at intimacy with her would prove as satisfactory and responsive as a flirtation with the Sphinx…Dear old, pre-sanctified cat!..Some pretty, vixenish kitten of a girl has clawed and frazzled his heart strings.”

The heart strings belong to Governor Armitage, a self-proclaimed eternal bachelor spurned by Devota years ago in a former misunderstanding. No man and no woman “has failed to find dyspeptics, even hectics, in all its intercourse of the sexes.” And when the two involuntarily reunite thirteen years later, their tête-à-tête “contributes curry, horse-radish and Tabasco to the conversational menu.”

When Armitage is proven innocent, “The lofty distinction you have attained is the dividing wall [Devota] could never scale.” However, Armitage asserts, “It is my right to readjust the balance; in one scale I lay all civic honors, the other holds my life-long Sweetheart outweighing every other earthly treasure…the only real crown that can glorify a man’s life–the tender love of a faithful, pure wife!”