Black Oxen

First published in 1923 ‘Black Oxen’ is one of feminist author Gertrude Atherton’s most famous and most controversial novels. Set in New York during the 1920s, it tells the story of the budding romance between young playwright Lee Clavering and an American widow, Madame Mary Zatianny – an older woman who has regained the vitality and looks of her youth. A fascinating science-fiction romance, ‘Black Oxen’ is a story about high society, love, and morals, and also offers a tantalising glimpse of the heady age. It was later adapted into a silent movie of the same name, starring Corrine Griffith and Conway Tearle.

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.