The Splendid Idle Forties Stories of Old California

The Splendid Idle Forties is a collection of short stories written by Gertrude Atherton that takes the reader on a journey through the early days of California. The stories are set during the 1840s, a time when California was still a Mexican territory, and the American settlers were just beginning to arrive.The book features a cast of characters that includes both Mexican and American settlers, as well as Native Americans and other Californians. The stories explore themes of love, betrayal, greed, and honor, and are filled with vivid descriptions of the California landscape and culture.Atherton's writing style is both engaging and descriptive, and she brings the characters and setting to life with her vivid prose. The stories are filled with historical detail, and provide a fascinating glimpse into the early days of California.Overall, The Splendid Idle Forties is a must-read for anyone interested in California history, or for those who simply enjoy a good story. Atherton's writing is timeless, and her tales of Old California are sure to captivate readers for generations to come.1902. Atherton, was an American Feminist and writer of social and historical fiction, much of it set in California. Although her reputation is founded primarily on her California fiction and essays, as well as her biography of Alexander Hamilton, Atherton also produced a number of Gothic stories, some of them, such as The Bell in the Fog, were considered significant achievements in the Gothic/supernaturalist tradition. Contents: The Pearls of Loreto; The Ears of Twenty Americans; The Washtub Mail; The Conquest of Dona Jacoba; A Ramble with Eulogia; The Isle of Skulls; The Head of a Priest; La Perdida; Lukari's Story; Natalie Ivanhoff: A Memory of Fort Ross; The Vengeance of Padre Arroyo; The Bells of San Gabriel; and When the Devil was Well. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.