Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
Eleanor Hallowell Abbott was an American writer known for her engaging and often whimsical storytelling. Born in 1872, she became a prominent figure in early 20th-century literature, particularly recognized for her contributions to The Ladies' Home Journal, where her work resonated with a wide audience. Abbott's writing often explored themes of love, family, and the complexities of modern life, reflecting the societal changes of her time. Her notable works include 'The Indiscretions of Archie' and 'The Heart of the Family,' which showcased her talent for blending humor with poignant insights into human relationships. Abbott's literary significance lies in her ability to capture the spirit of her era while addressing universal themes that continue to resonate. Her stories often featured strong, relatable characters navigating the challenges of their lives, making her a precursor to later writers who would delve into similar subjects. Through her contributions, Abbott not only entertained readers but also provided a lens into the evolving roles of women in society, making her an important figure in American literature during her lifetime.
Famous Quotes
View all 3 quotes“And while you and the rest of your kind are battling together—year after year—for this special privilege of being 'bored to death,' the 'real girl' that you're asking about, the marvelous girl, the girl with the big, beautiful, unspoken thoughts in her head, the girl with the big, brave, undone deeds in her heart, the girl that stories are made of, the girl whom you call 'improbable'—is moping off alone in some dark, cold corner—or sitting forlornly partnerless against the bleak wall of the ballroom—or hiding shyly up in the dressing-room—waiting to be discovered!”
“Then Night came down like the feathery soot of a smoky lamp, and smutted[9] first the bedquilt, then the hearth-rug, then the window-seat, and then at last the great, stormy, faraway outside world. But sleep did not come. Oh, no! Nothing new came at all except that particularly wretched, itching type of insomnia which seems to rip away from one's body the whole kind, protecting skin and expose all the raw, ticklish fretwork of nerves to the mercy of a gritty blanket or a wrinkled sheet. Pain came too, in its most brutally high night-tide; and sweat, like the smother of furs in summer; and thirst like the scrape of hot sand-paper; and chill like the clammy horror of raw fish.”
“Now everybody who knows anything at all knows perfectly well that even a business letter does not deserve the paper on which it is written unless it contains at least one significant phrase that is worth waking up in the night to remember and think about.”
Books from the author
