And The Ladies Of The Club
Ranked #3,260 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #118,538 overall
A Great Novel of Small Town America
"...And Ladies of the Club" by Helen Hooven Santmyer made an enormous impression on me when I first read it back in the mid 1980s. There I was, an Englishwoman in my late 30s, living in London, UK, totally entranced by a very long tale of small town American life covering sixty years. This book certainly exerted a magic hold over me. It runs to almost 1200 pages so it has to put a spell on the reader to persist to the end.
It must have exerted a similar spell on the author as it is said to have taken her 50 years to write the novel that covers the period from 1868 to 1932 in the small town of Waynesboro, Ohio.
I lent the book to a friend and it disappeared (isn't it always the way?) and, about four months ago, I decided I wanted to read it again. There was nothing for it but to buy another copy. Again, I read it from cover to cover perhaps with even more enjoyment than the first time.
It must have exerted a similar spell on the author as it is said to have taken her 50 years to write the novel that covers the period from 1868 to 1932 in the small town of Waynesboro, Ohio.
I lent the book to a friend and it disappeared (isn't it always the way?) and, about four months ago, I decided I wanted to read it again. There was nothing for it but to buy another copy. Again, I read it from cover to cover perhaps with even more enjoyment than the first time.
The First Line of the Novel
It Marks the Beginning of the Waynesboro Women's Club
"The formation of the Waynesboro Women's Club was first proposed in the early summer of 1868."
A Synopsis of "...And the Ladies of the Club"
A Saga of Families in Waynesboro, Ohio
The story begins just three years after the American Civil War with the graduation of two young ladies, Anne Alexander and Sally Cochran. The book follows these two girls from leaving school, throughout their lives and into old age. The first chapter is not only the start of Anne and Sally as adults, it is also the birth of the ladies' literary club. The two girls are cajoled into joining by their former teacher.From here, we are introduced to the other ladies who join the club and to their families. We see Anne and Sally get married, have children, go through times of trouble and bereavement. At the same time we follow the stories of the other major characters lives too.
It's a complex novel but you soon get to know the characters and, as each new storyline is introduced, the author gives enough reminders to jog our memories about the people involved. Death, divorce, serious illness and scandal as well as births, marriages and other happy occasions fill the lives of the people we get to know and like or dislike.
"Re-creates an American period... with
a combination of delicacy and candor"
The New York Times
And The Ladies Of The Club
"...AND LADIES OF THE CLUB is perfect for times when you can lose yourself in a great book. I can think of no better choice for cold winter nights or lazy summer afternoons. It's a book that I've returned to a number of times in all seasons, and I've never been disappointed."
Quoted from a five star review on Amazon.com
Quoted from a five star review on Amazon.com
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The Republican Convention of 1880, mentioned in the novel
History, Religion and Politics in the Novel
Meet Important Historical Figures
Don't think that this book is just a frivolous novel about the trivialities of everyday life. As important as the events in the lives of the characters are, the story is firmly rooted in the history the time span it covers. Just as in real life, religion and politics can affect the lives of ordinary people, we see how these affect the lives of the families of Waynesboro.Waynesboro is a predominantly Republican town, with a large proportion of German Americans living there. We follow the local politics closely through Sally's husband, Ludwig Rausch, who owns a paper mill and is the county organiser for the Republican Party. Because of Ludwig's involvement in politics, we also learn how national politics and politicians affect the town in some instances. For example, General James Garfield's (see picture) attempt to win the Republican Presidential nomination in 1880 forms the background to several chapters.
Religion in the town influences the characters and events. It is mostly a Presbyterian town with both Reformed and Non-Reformed Presbyterians. We see the conflict occurring when the stricter Reformed Presbyterians are offended by the more liberal Non-Reformed.
Helen Hooven Santmyer
More Books by this Author
Xenia, Ohio, Hometown of Helen Hooven Santmyer and the model for Waynesboro.
Copyright © Willjay - Creative Commons License
Helen Hooven Santmyer, the Author,
Lived to See the Success of her Novel
This wonderful novel has indeed...touched the lives of millions...I was with Santmeyer a few days after the story of the discovery of her novel was on the front page of the NY Times. She was being interviewed in her nursing home in Xenia, Ohio, by Dan Rather.
Rather said to her, "How do you feel when they say you've written the great American novel?" Helen just chuckled and said, "Oh no. It's just a book about politics."
She lived for almost another year, checking the NY Times every Sunday, and saw her book as #1 every single week for the rest of her life. As one enters Xenia now, there is a sign that says, "Home of Helen Hooven Santmyer, Author."
Quote from Gerald Sindell in a review on Amazon.com
Rather said to her, "How do you feel when they say you've written the great American novel?" Helen just chuckled and said, "Oh no. It's just a book about politics."
She lived for almost another year, checking the NY Times every Sunday, and saw her book as #1 every single week for the rest of her life. As one enters Xenia now, there is a sign that says, "Home of Helen Hooven Santmyer, Author."
Quote from Gerald Sindell in a review on Amazon.com
Learn more about
Helen Hooven Santmyer on
Ohiana Authors
More Historical Novels
If you enjoy long sagas, you'll love these
These are some of the best multi-generational novels that I have read over the years.
What's the buzz about Helen Hooven Santmyer
- Komen Caught Pink Handed But What Else Don't We Know?
- An expert on mammography and the politics of breast cancer, she is the author or editor of several books, including Making Stories, Making Selves: Feminist Reflections on the Holocaust, which won the Helen Hooven Santmyer Prize.
Postscript of utmost importance
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Any Comments?
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martha e benzler
Feb 14, 2012 @ 12:58 pm | delete
- I frist try to read the book in 1996 but my life was not good then so about four years ago i pick it up again and was reading it and i came up on page235 and 236 helen had wrote a chulden story on they page did ant one see it i did i have the right two those page from ohio state university with kath edwards I have it cop right at the libraryog congress for the childen books and it is reger at the wrtiter guil of the west in L.A. ca i am working on a scrip of the woddshed fron the book and the lady of the club
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rednett
Jun 19, 2011 @ 3:45 pm | delete
- I first read this book shortly after it was released back in the early '80's and fell in love with it. Over the years I have read it 4 times and am getting ready to read it again. What I would love to see is a map of the town as it is described in the book. And I also have great hope it will be made into a movie. I'm working on who should play what part. LOL Yes, I am a true fan of this book and always will be.
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MaxReily
Jun 7, 2011 @ 7:19 pm | delete
- I love long family sagas. If a book has a family tree and a map in front, chances are, I'm gonna love it! I read this book long ago, and also several of the ones on your list. I love Edward Rutherfurd's "London" best of all of his books. Great review (and the story of Helen Hooven Santmeyer herself is almost as interesting as the book!)
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jptanabe
May 29, 2011 @ 2:49 pm | delete
- Blessed by an angel on the Memorial Day bus trip!
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Spook
Apr 17, 2011 @ 3:14 pm | delete
- I haven't read it yet but is the type of thing I love. Also loved your choice of books to read and have read a few of them. Always loved Winston Graham's the Poldark series.
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Stazjia
Apr 17, 2011 @ 4:06 pm | delete
- I'm glad you like the books I choose. I like the Poldark series too but it's years since I read them. Maybe I'll put them on my re-reading list.
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kimmanleyort
Feb 17, 2010 @ 8:20 am | delete
- I love family sagas and, especially, if they have a historical aspect. Read this one more than 15 years ago, and you have brought back good memories of it. Excellent review. It's always a good recommendation when you can say that you have read a long book like this twice!
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Wednesday_Elf
Feb 3, 2010 @ 1:11 pm | delete
- Interesting book by a fascinating author. I was interested to read there is a sign honoring Helen Hooven Santmyer as you enter Xenia. What I most remember about Xenia, Ohio was the devastating F5 tornado that hit there on 4/3/1974 and nearly wiped the town off the map! Nice to know it's now better known as Helen's homeplace.
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Stazjia
Feb 3, 2010 @ 2:01 pm | delete
- How interesting that you've been to Xenia. I love going to places that have been the settings for books I've enjoyed. I just wish I could have found a picture of the sign that honours her.
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susannaduffy
Jan 28, 2010 @ 4:34 am | delete
- I adore family sagas and stories that follow generations. My mother introduced me to Howard Spring in 1960 and I've been hooked on this style ever since (I also like a big fat book). I confess that I haven't read this one and I'll put that omission to rights very soon. I appreciate your taste.
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Stazjia
I am English and I've written freelance for UK magazines, a couple of books and online. My Google Profile more »
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This was the first book I ever read by Fannie Flagg and I loved it. The characters seem to live and breathe and I got to know them and care about them. Perhaps it's as well that this is the first novel by Ms Flagg that I read because, unlike many of her others, it isn't centred on Elmwood Springs, Missouri. It follows the story of Dena who lives in New York but her search for her family history takes her to Elmwood Springs.
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