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Alexina is a spoiled girl from a wealthy family. When she meets her new sister-in-law, Gora, her life begins to change. This coming-of-age story follows the intertwining lives of two drastically different girls against the backdrop of significant historical events. Atherton’s masterful prose explores the female experience, psychological transformation, and the meaning of family. Her feminist perspective renders this book perfect for fans of Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar’.



Gertrude Atherton (1857-1948) was an American novelist. Born in California, her home state became the backdrop for many of her novels, of which she wrote more than 40. Her work discusses sexual oppression, emotional hardship, and the complex, interior worlds of her female characters. Her most notable works include "The Doomswoman", "The Californians", and "Black Oxen", the latter of which was made into a silent movie in 1923. One of the earliest proponents of feminism, her vivid descriptions are unmissable for fans of Virginia Woolf.