Catharine Maria SedgwickAnmeldelser

"Scarce London edition of these twelve stories by Miss Sedgwick, dedicated to ‘Lucy, Lizzie, Martha, Eliza, Bessie, Louisa, Sarah, Alice, and Jenny, the girls of the L----- School.' Catharine Maria Sedgwick (1789-1867) 'was an American novelist of what is sometimes referred to as "domestic fiction". With her work much in demand, from the 1820s to the 1850s, Sedgwick made a good living writing short stories for a variety of periodicals. She became one of the most notable female novelists of her time. She wrote work in American settings, and combined patriotism with protests against historic Puritan oppressiveness. Her topics contributed to the creation of a national literature, enhanced by her detailed descriptions of nature. Sedgwick created spirited heroines who did not conform to the stereotypical conduct of women at the time. She promoted Republican motherhood.' (Wikipedia). In line with Sedgwick's popularity three other London editions appeared, all rare, printed by Tilt and Bogue, W. Smith and William Tegg. The present edition, however, appears unrecorded. Not in OCLC or COPAC." (Pickering & Chatto, cat. 799, lot 78).

Don't mind me. Just searching for a female writer who can top The Minister's Wooing... or at least inspire some sort of depth of thought. This, while admirable for its time, was more reminiscent of Mary Jane Holmes.


P. S. What was with this whole "Marry the man who is 20 years older, has a daughter, and paid for your education" thing that was going around in the 1800s?

As obscure 19th-century women authors go, Sedgwick probably won't rival Margaret Oliphant in my affections, but this had some fun moments.

Charlotte Temple was the biggest best teller in American, basically until [b:Uncle Tom's Cabin|46787|Uncle Tom's Cabin|Harriet Beecher Stowe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414349231s/46787.jpg|2478635] came along. Considering the intensity with which female sexuality and expressions are strictly controlled throughout the entire book, I am somewhat surprised the book was so popular. But, I suppose, at the same time I'm not. Published in the 1790s, there was a dark cloud of female suppression hanging over America at this time. I supposed I just wanted to believe that women would have recognized their own abilities, talents, skills, understandings, and depths and not dismissed them so readily as is indicated by the vast popularity of this work. This work directly links the titular character's death to the fact she decided to have sex. If she had appropriately obeyed the male authority figures in her life she would be alive and perfectly happy and content.

Although I think this book is a sentimental, anti-woman work, there is something important to be said about the fame of this early work of American literature that was written by a woman. An article by Jane Tompkins elucidates the importance and unjust treatment received by Susanna Rowson in her lifetime and how that heritage of dismissal was carried on into our age. Charles Brockden Brown is considered the father of the American novel, but Rowson was writing at the same period and much more prolifically than Brown did. But because of the gender stereotyping and restrictions, considering her for the role of the mother of the American novel would've been impossible to consider. In many ways, Rowson would've agreed with this assessment of her work, at least considering the contents of this novel. She is not interested in exalting the place of women, but in reaffirming the status quo. In this way Brown should be considered the father of American literature because he challenged the status quo in many ways.

Pretty heavy-handed moralising. Enjoyed it though.

This tale of two sisters split by an Indian attack (one is captured, one escapes) starts off interestingly enough, but kind of peters out in the end, alternating between boredom and over-the-top melodrama. My favorite bits were the digs at Puritan morality; the Puritans were pretty awful in retrospect.

found this for $1 in a thrift store. I recognized the author's name from the biographies of such early New England women as Margaret Fuller and Louisa May Alcott, both of whom (I think I recall) read her as girls. A fun read- quite dramatic and romantic. and interesting for its history. She describes the outskirts of Springfield Mass as dark with the endless canopy of trees. Not PC for modern times, though; she is meant to be speaking up for Native Americans, but the perspective on the "noble savages" is pretty telling.

Written in the early nineteenth century, Hope Leslie is a novel set in Puritanical New England by Catharine Maria Sedgwick. The conflict between the Puritans and the Pequod Native Americans is illustrated by the relationship between Magawisca, an Indian "princess," and the family and relations of Alice "Hope" Leslie. The novel is historical, part romantic comedy, and sentimental. Sedgwick both praises the early settlers of America for their bravery in moving to a new continent, but also heavily critiques the stifling Calvinist society for its strict rules, unabashed bigotry, and deep-set beliefs of superiority.

I enjoyed the novel, though sometimes the language was a little difficult to decipher. My favorite characters were Everell, Hope's love interest and a courageous, understanding boy, and Magawisca, the proud, loyal girl of a dying people.

Published in 1827, [Hope Leslie] is an historical fiction set in Massachusetts during the early years of the colony. It presents two heroines, Hope Leslie, a thoughtful, charming and spirited colonist, and Magawisca, a noble, passionate and wise, young native American woman; both compelling and credible. The story is full of danger, intrigue, love, family and frontier - quite compelling if one has patience for the sometimes thick, antique prose and many digressions (which the narrator is only too willing to apologize for). The author was a contemporary of Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper and aimed, as they did, to write a truly 'American' novel which showcased our landscapes, history and values but Sedgwick focused on women's lives. Her novel is more nuanced than her contemporaries, there is a lot she questions through her narrative. This novel is perhaps an underappreciated part of our literary heritage and a great read.

First published in 1820 and popular both here in the states and abroad, this novel is a fine, early example of the moral women's novels of 19th century New England. The book has all the trappings of other popular 19th century novels (orphans, mysterious strangers, a madwoman..etc) but is set in small town Massachusetts (known to be based on the author's hometown of Stockbridge which has been more recently made notable by Norman Rockwell and as home of Guthrie's 'Alice's Restaurant'). It is a charming story of a good orphan named Jane who is sent to live with her cruel aunt and spoiled cousins. There she will spend her adolescence negotiating many a situation (no spoilers!) that will 'test' her. The Christian moralizing is thicker than clotted cream in the book but if one can get through it, it's an engaging tale (rather tame by current standards, of course, and sadly without the wit of Austen). There is a bit of skewering of the upper classes here (to which Ms. Sedgwick belonged) and more than a small attempt to expose the hypocrisy in their religious practice. There is also a hint of the emerging Transcendentalism in New England. I'm afraid I cannot rate my reading of this, because I feel it is not best judged by today's standards.½

Well written epic novel with sweep by a popular American woman writer in the 1830's, set in the early colonial times, it explores relations between the Puritan settlers and the Native Americans. Sedgwick writes about her ancestors with the attitudes of an upper class woman of the early 19th century but with insight, and with surprising sensibility towards the natives on the other hand right before they were massively pushed westward and greatly decimated.

A nice tale of Indian/Colonist relations. A promising love element that ended in disapointment. Lots of action. Overall, good story.