Mrs. Oliphant's story was so dire, I had to come up with some sort of escape from it.
So I started to think about more ways she could be honoured/saved posthumously.
The ideation actually ended up being somewhat fun. Not sure I can say the same for the ideas:-)
1. A fund that awards a grant for identified gifted single mother writers to spend a year writing; nothing else.
2. A course of therapy entitled the Oliphant-non way. A series of sessions for single mothers who are doing everything for everyone to empower them to know when they can make the decision to just stop.
3. Commission a brilliant screenwriter to work some of her better stuff and come up with a blockbuster. In a sort of 'What Mrs. Oliphant could have produced if she didn't try to sort out the whole world'
Oliphant's story is amazing and thank you for giving it to us in such a readable form.
But how sad her story, let down by all the men around her. Yet her resilience, as shown in the final words you quote from her, is inspiring. I haven't read her works, I confess, though I'm a big fan of her rivals Eliot and Trollope. I feel I need to put that right!
I read Miss Marjoribanks ages ago and should take another look. Thanks for this sympathetic portrait of her. It’s a shame she wasn’t better appreciated in her own time, by her own family, but she produced so much that has lasted!
Miss Marjoribanks is terrific; my cousin insisted I read it, and was convinced it was out of print (I don't think it is). But my favourite Mrs Oliphant is her long short story (maybe even a novella), 'The Library Window'. She was really good at writing the supernatural. Her boys look like the epitome of awkward entitlement.
Mrs. Oliphant's story was so dire, I had to come up with some sort of escape from it.
So I started to think about more ways she could be honoured/saved posthumously.
The ideation actually ended up being somewhat fun. Not sure I can say the same for the ideas:-)
1. A fund that awards a grant for identified gifted single mother writers to spend a year writing; nothing else.
2. A course of therapy entitled the Oliphant-non way. A series of sessions for single mothers who are doing everything for everyone to empower them to know when they can make the decision to just stop.
3. Commission a brilliant screenwriter to work some of her better stuff and come up with a blockbuster. In a sort of 'What Mrs. Oliphant could have produced if she didn't try to sort out the whole world'
This is so brilliant! I love all these ideas. Thank you
Love the portrait of her by Frederick Sandys.
Oliphant's story is amazing and thank you for giving it to us in such a readable form.
But how sad her story, let down by all the men around her. Yet her resilience, as shown in the final words you quote from her, is inspiring. I haven't read her works, I confess, though I'm a big fan of her rivals Eliot and Trollope. I feel I need to put that right!
Try Hester! Such a great and surprising story about a businesswoman
Thanks, I'll do that!
I read Miss Marjoribanks ages ago and should take another look. Thanks for this sympathetic portrait of her. It’s a shame she wasn’t better appreciated in her own time, by her own family, but she produced so much that has lasted!
Poignant portrait of a woman for whom writing was the breath of life.
Thank you for this piece about a totally inspirational woman. I don't believe I had ever heard of her. I have now! Will investigate further...
Thank you!
Miss Marjoribanks is terrific; my cousin insisted I read it, and was convinced it was out of print (I don't think it is). But my favourite Mrs Oliphant is her long short story (maybe even a novella), 'The Library Window'. She was really good at writing the supernatural. Her boys look like the epitome of awkward entitlement.
That's a good tip, thank you, I will look out for it!
Brilliant portrait of an inspirational woman. She really did live and breathe her work.