Threads of Grey and Gold

by Myrtle Reed

In Myrtle Reed's 'Threads of Grey and Gold', the reader is transported into a realm of intricate family dynamics and complex relationships. The novel is characterized by its rich prose and attention to detail in depicting turn-of-the-century society. Reed's writing style is graceful and eloquent, drawing readers in with her vivid descriptions and deep emotional insights. The themes of love, betrayal, and redemption are expertly woven together, creating a tapestry of human experience that is both timeless and compelling. 'Threads of Grey and Gold' is a prime example of early 20th-century American literature, offering readers a glimpse into the social norms and values of the era. Myrtle Reed was known for her passionate storytelling and her ability to capture the essence of human emotion in her works. Her own experiences with love and loss likely influenced the themes explored in this novel. I recommend 'Threads of Grey and Gold' to readers who enjoy nuanced character development and thought-provoking narratives that delve into the complexities of family relationships and societal expectations.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2009

About the author

Myrtle Reed/Mrs McCullough (1874-1911) was an American author, the daughter of Elizabeth Armstrong Reed and the preacher Hiram von Reed. She sometimes wrote under the pseudonym of Olive Green. She was born in Chicago, where she graduated from the West Division High School. In 1906 she was married to James Sydney McCullough.

She wrote under her own name, but also published a series of cook books under the pseudonym of Olive Green, including What to Have for Breakfast (1905), One Thousand Simple Soups (1907) and How to Cook Fish (1908).

Myrtle was a diagnosed insomniac with prescribed sleeping drafts. She died August 17, 1911 of an overdose of sleeping powder taken with suicidal intent in her flat, called "Paradise Flat" at 5120 Kenmore Ave., Chicago, Illinois. The following day, her suicide letter, written to her maid, Annie Larsen, was published.

Reviews

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖍️ From the frontspiece: “This volume, which presents some of the writer’s most typical utterances—utterances characterised by the combination of wisdom, humour, and sentiment that belongs to all the writings of the gifted author—”

Delightful collection of Myrtle Reed’s works, both in prose and poetry.

📕 Published in 1902.

જ⁀➴🟢The e-book version can be found on Project Gutenberg.
🟣 Kindle.
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🖋️ About Myrtle Reed: Born in Norwood Park, Illinois September 27, 1874. She passed away at her apartment 5120 N. Kenmore, Chicago (suicide) August 17, 1911 and was buried at Graceland Cemetery. 🪦Some more information about can Myrtle Reed be found on this link at Find a Grave.


✧⋆˚₊˚⋆✧Excerpts of note:
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🔺The fin-de-siècle woman is literary in one sense, if not in another, for if she may not wield her pen, she can keep in touch with the leading thinkers of the day, and she will prove as pleasant a companion during the long winter evenings as the woman whose husband chose her for beauty and taste in dress.

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🔻Marriage gives her [a wife] no right to criticize any member of her husband’s family; their faults are out of her reach except by the force of tactful example. Her concern is with herself and him, not his family, and a wise girl, at the beginning of her married life, will draw a sharp line between her affairs and those of others, and will stay on her own side of the line.

[Roenn Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myrtle Reed has a beautiful style and the poem were gorgeous! So surprised this isn't a known classic!