Edith Summers Kelley (1884–1956)

In recent times, I've taken to a little interest in "lost" novels. What causes a well-written story to be forgotten in such a relatively short time span? Last year, I "discovered" Midsummernight by Carl Wilhelmson, a book written by one-time John Steinbeck roommate, a novel that has seemingly been forgotten. While Weeds is not nearly as forgotten as Midsummernight, it certainly has not received the attention it deserves.

Weeds, first published in 1923, rediscovered in the 1970s, has never been in the literary spotlight. When first published, it quickly went out of print. Efforts by small presses in the 1970s and 1990s to reintroduce the work have kept it alive, but it still remains largely unnoticed.

That's unfortunate, because Kelley has written a strangely riveting novel with such dynamic characters. Our protagonist, Judith, is unique and strong-willed, a woman with considerable potential who is constantly fighting against poverty and societal expectations. Perhaps what makes this story stand out from others like it is that Judith marries the one man in the region who is not only considerate, but "grants" her the freedoms she asks for. He's certainly not the drunk and abusive misogynist the reader likely expects. Despite this, Judith eventually learns that marriage and motherhood were not what she expected them to be, and refuses to be confined to such roles. These distinctions in these two characters build upon a story with multiple dimensions.

In the end, this story doesn't build up to much of a conclusion, and this is perhaps the novel's greatest weakness. Despite this potential misstep, Weeds is a wonderful look at the brilliance of one woman, struggling against the current in 1920s rural America.… (más)