.com Review Coming of age is a shock to almost anyone's system but imagine being like Kelley's character Judith Pippinger: spirited, creative, strong, yet facing nothing more fulfilling in life than the poverty and deprivation of a rural life. As with any lifetime, the human spirit provides moments of beauty, laughter and power-reserves upon which Judith must depend to survive a failing marriage, a disastrous love affair and the impending death of one of her daughters. The original manuscript contained a scene of rural childbirth deemed too graphic for readers and which was cut before publication. This complete edition includes that restored chapter. Read more From Publishers Weekly this early feminist novel, about the restricted life of the wife of a tobacco farmer, was originally published in 1923. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more Review "If there could be such a thing as a 21-gun salute for a novel fortuitously rescued from oblivion, Weeds richly merits it, for Edith Summers Kelley's book is unquestionably a major work of American fiction. . . . It is remarkable for its compassionate realism, its narrative pace, its sensitive evocation of character and for its sure literary craftmanship. . . . [Weeds] is a book that will astonish and enrich anyone who reads it. And anyone should be everyone." —New York Times Book Review"This beautiful novel, which saw its first publication in 1923, is the story of Judith Pippinger Blackford, a Kentucky farm girl whose bright, responsive, and perhaps talented nature is gradually dulled by the sordid limitation of her life. . . . It would be a pity for anyone to miss this statuesque book." —New Yorker"Edith Kelley had much in common with Sherwood Anderson and her friend, Sinclair Lewis. Her novel is effective, poignant, well observed, distinguished of its kind. It should win a place in courses on modern literature and women's studies." —Choice"If there could be such a thing as a 21-gun salute for a novel fortuitously rescued from oblivion, Weeds richly merits it, for Edith Summers Kelley's book is unquestionably a major work of American fiction. . . . It is remarkable for its compassionate realism, its narrative pace, its sensitive evocation of character and for its sure literary craftmanship. . . . [Weeds] is a book that will astonish and enrich anyone who reads it. And anyone should be everyone." ―New York Times Book Review"This beautiful novel, which saw its first publication in 1923, is the story of Judith Pippinger Blackford, a Kentucky farm girl whose bright, responsive, and perhaps talented nature is gradually dulled by the sordid limitation of her life. . . . It would be a pity for anyone to miss this statuesque book." ―New Yorker"Edith Kelley had much in common with Sherwood Anderson and her friend, Sinclair Lewis. Her novel is effective, poignant, well observed, distinguished of its kind. It should win a place in courses on modern literature and women's studies." ―Choice Read more About the Author Edith Summers Kelley (1884-1956) also wrote short stories, essays, and the novels The Devil's Hand and Weeds. Read more
