The Californians

First published in 1898, ‘The Californians’ depicts life in California at the turn of the century. As California undergoes a period of rapid change and diversification, so too do the two young protagonists - the wealthy, shy Magdalena finds herself outshone at every turn by her best friend Helena as the two girls become young women. A tale about love, morals, and women’s rights in old California, this is a gripping and intriguing tale from the feminist author Gertrude Atherton.

Gertrude Atherton (1857-1948) was an American novelist, short story writer and early feminist. Born in California, Gertrude attended schools in California and Kentucky and became widely read. She married George H.B. Atherton in 1876, and lived with him and his mother in San Francisco, where they had two children. Atherton struggled with married life, her husband did not support her writing ambitions and Gertrude found life as a wife and mother stifling. When her husband died at sea in 1887, Atherton felt free to pursue her burgeoning career as an author and went on to publish over 50 novels. She is best known for her California series of novels which explored the social history of California and included popular works such as ‘The Californians’ and the controversial ‘Black Oxen’ which was adapted into a silent movie in 1923. Feminist themes and strong female characters are common in her novels. She died in San Francisco in 1948.