The Beloved Woman

by Kathleen Thompson Norris

Kathleen Thompson Norris (1880-1966) was an American novelist, and wife of fellow writer, Charles Norris whom she wed in 1909. She was educated in a special course in the University of California and wrote many popular romance novels that some considered sentimental and honest in their prose. Norris was the highest-paid female writer of her time, and many of her novels are held in high regard today. Many of her novels were set in California, particularly the San Francisco area. They feature detailed descriptions of the upper-class lifestyle. After 1910 she contributed to the Atlantic, American Magazine, McClure's, Everybody's, Ladies' Home Journal, and Woman's Home Companion. Her works include Mother (1911), The Rich Mrs. Burgoyne (1912), Poor, Dear Margaret Kirby (1913), The Treasure (1914), Saturday's Child (1914), The Heart of Rachael (1916), Martie the Unconquered (1917), Josselyn's Wife (1918), Harriet and the Piper (1920), The Beloved Woman (1921), Little Ships (1925), Second Hand Wife (1932), Beauty's Daughter (1935), adapted for the 1935 motion picture Navy Wife, Over at the Crowleys (1941), The Venables (1941) and The Maiden Voyage (1942).

Genres: Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Educated at the University of California, Kathleen married Charles Gilman Norris, brother of the late Benjamin Franklin Norris, Junior, in 1909. She was a prolific author, producing over 80 novels in addition to numerous short stories and articles. Norris was a regular contributor to leading magazines such as Atlantic and Ladies' Home Journal. Her first novel, Lost Sunrise, appeared in 1909 and was immediately popular. By the end of her career her books had sold over ten million copies and made her the highest paid female author of her day.

Reviews

[Kitty Foth-Regner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific character study from Kathleen Thompson Norris, best-selling female author of the first half of the 20th century.

[Tam May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Norris novel and it was pretty entertaining. It had a nice display of the wealthy in the East in the 1920's. It was very different than what you'd expect from a Flapper era novel (as there were no flappers in it!) I didn't think much of the two main characters, though. Norma was annoyingly naive and sometimes she behaved more like a 5 year old than a young woman. For someone who was supposed to be from the working class and worked outside the home, she was way too innocent. And Chris, who was supposed to be this perfect guy whom everyone adored and admired, was really a selfish, emotionally manipulative jerk, in my opinion. But still, an entertaining read.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tis better to be poor and faithful than rich.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book from 100 years ago is even better today! It not only gives us a good look at people different than ourselves, it also gives us insight into the moral & financial lives of that time. And as I always say, a good book with a meaningful story from back then is going to be a great read!

[Fiona H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable old-fashioned story, perfect light bedtime reading.