Woman of Genius

In her captivating 1912 novel, Mary Hunter Austin (1868-1934) weaves a tale inspired by her own experiences, bringing to life the struggles of a remarkable woman torn between her public aspirations and private longings. Set against the backdrop of a post-Civil War Midwest, the story follows Olivia Lattimore, a tragic actress navigating the tumultuous waters of romance and art. With poetic insight, Austin delves into the myriad social and economic hurdles that gifted women like Olivia encounter in their quest for self-fulfillment. In a cynical Gilded Age America, she poses a poignant question can a “woman of genius” truly attain both happiness and success? Summary by Amy Dunkleberger