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The Perennial Bachelor
1925. Anne Parrish wrote and illustrated children's books but is best known as a novelist. The Perennial Bachelor won the Harper Prize Novel Contest. Set in Delaware, the story traces American family life from 1850 to 1925, telling of people who often sacrificed happiness for the appearance of good breeding and family pride.
- GenresFiction
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1925
About the author
Anne Parrish
42 books4 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Three-time Newbery Honor winner, Anne Parrish came from a distinguished and artistic Philadelphia family. Her younger brother was author Dillwyn Parrish. Parrish trained at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, although she later chose a career in literature. In 1923 her first romantic novel, Pocketful of Poses, was published simultaneously to her children's book, Knee-High to a Grasshopper, illustrated by her brother Dillwyn. Their collaboration was followed by 'Lustres' (1924). In 1925 'The Perennial Bachelor' was the eighth best-selling book for the entire year according to the New York Times and won the Harper Prize from her publisher. Her 1928 bestseller 'All Kneeling' was made into the 1950 film Born to Be Bad, starring Joan Fontaine and Robert Ryan.
Throughout most of her life, Anne Parrish traveled extensively and on a trip to Switzerland, she and her brother purchased Le Paquis, a cottage in a meadow overlooking Lake Geneva not far from Lausanne, between Vevey and Chexbres.
In 1915, she married industrialist Charles Albert Corliss, residing in New York City. Her husband died in 1936. Two years later, she married poet and novelist Josiah Titzell (aka Frederick Lambeck). They made their home in Redding, Connecticut. After he died in 1943, she continued to live there for the rest of her life.
Three-time Newbery Honor winner, Anne Parrish came from a distinguished and artistic Philadelphia family. Her younger brother was author Dillwyn Parrish. Parrish trained at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, although she later chose a career in literature. In 1923 her first romantic novel, Pocketful of Poses, was published simultaneously to her children's book, Knee-High to a Grasshopper, illustrated by her brother Dillwyn. Their collaboration was followed by 'Lustres' (1924). In 1925 'The Perennial Bachelor' was the eighth best-selling book for the entire year according to the New York Times and won the Harper Prize from her publisher. Her 1928 bestseller 'All Kneeling' was made into the 1950 film Born to Be Bad, starring Joan Fontaine and Robert Ryan.
Throughout most of her life, Anne Parrish traveled extensively and on a trip to Switzerland, she and her brother purchased Le Paquis, a cottage in a meadow overlooking Lake Geneva not far from Lausanne, between Vevey and Chexbres.
In 1915, she married industrialist Charles Albert Corliss, residing in New York City. Her husband died in 1936. Two years later, she married poet and novelist Josiah Titzell (aka Frederick Lambeck). They made their home in Redding, Connecticut. After he died in 1943, she continued to live there for the rest of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 28, 2025
This was a pretty sad story, worth reading for a look into early 20th century family life.
November 29, 2019
I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. It's beautifully written and absorbing, but it was depressing and ultimately left me wondering what the point of it was supposed to be. If the author meant it as a warning against coddling and making sacrifices for your children, it was a pointed one. But seriously, she couldn't have made that point and let something a little good happen to someone?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews