Audrey

by Mary Johnston, F.C. Yohn (Illustrator)

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

186 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

The daughter of an American Civil War soldier who became a successful lawyer, Mary Johnston was born in the small town of Buchanan, Virginia. A small and frail girl, she was educated at home by family and tutors. She grew up with a love of books and was financially independent enough to devote herself to writing.

Johnston wrote historical books and novels that often combined romance with history. Her novels were bestsellers in America, Canada and England.

During her long career, in addition to twenty-three novels, Johnston wrote a number of short stories, one drama, and two long narrative poems. She used her fame to advocate women's rights, strongly supporting the women's suffrage movement.

Reviews

[Chloe]

Audrey is written in a style particular to the turn of the twentieth century. In order to "get into it", you have to adjust to the pace and effusiveness of historical romance of that period. It is a genuine adjustment, but once it is made, the rewards are rich. Put yourself in the position of a reader in 1902 when this book was published. The airplane was not invented until the next year, in 1903. Oklahoma wasn't a state until 1907 (Arizona and New Mexico followed in 1912). The first Ford "Model T" rolled out in 1908. It was a totally different world.

The author is a master at painting pictures with words. The colonial Williamsburg of her imagination has no weeds, no bugs, and the wicked people are only wicked to a point - certainly not to the point of wicked people in today's literature. She is all about beauty, grace and serenity.

Some descriptive passages roll on and on - nothing says you have to read every word in order to enjoy a book.

Audrey is a story of innocence and was a best seller in an America that was still largely innocent. It was made into a silent film in 1916, but no copies are known to exist. As an interesting sidelight to Mary Johnston - she was a very active supporter of early women's rights - something I wouldn't have thought after reading this book.

So why did I like it? I let myself be swept into her descriptions. I could see the gardens, hear the footsteps in the houses, picture each character. I could imagine my great-grandmother as a girl reading this book. I enjoy that sense of connection to the past. It is definitely an acquired taste.

[Susan C Lance]

Wonderful storyteller, descriptive

[L.]

It was OK except for the last few pages of the story, which so ticked me off. The ending just ruined the whole thing for me.

[Tripp]

Signed