A Whirl Asunder

Known for her novels set in California, the author gained fame with her bestseller "Black Oxen," which inspired a silent film. Atherton's literary contributions extend beyond fiction, encompassing essays and articles that tackle feminism, politics, and war. Her writing journey began in 1882 with a serialized romance, but revealing her identity led to family ostracism. After relocating to New York and traveling to London, she eventually returned to California, where she published her first novel in 1888 under a different pseudonym.