She died on february 23, 1968 in new york city, new york, usa. With the aim of gathering material for her writing, she worked. In her heyday, hurst was a contributor to the saturday evening post, the century magazine, and cosmopolitan magazine, and was featured in annual editions of the best american short story. Fannie hurst was among the most popular and soughtafter writers of the postworld war i era. The text block is in fine condition with no marks, tears, or dog ears.
Back street 1931 is one of her two bestremembered novels among the many that she wrote. Fannie hurst october 19, 1885 february 23, 1968 was an american novelist and shortstory writer whose works were highly popular during the postworld war i era. The works called imitation of lifefannie hursts 1933 novel and its two film adaptations, john m. She was a writer, known for back pay 1930, four daughters 1938 and the day she paid 1919. The film was so famous among blacks that peola, the name of. Every soul hath its song fannie hurst 15 downloads. Her works were also made into films including back street 1931 and imitation of life 1933. Imitation of life novel project gutenberg selfpublishing. Films like young at heart gordon douglas, 1954, humoresque jean negulesco, 1946, and imitation of life show that her writing has the ability to be adapted to charming and enjoyable film work. Fannie hurst s imitation of life traces the friendship developed between two single women one african american employee and one caucasian employer and chronicles the women raising their daughters and the complicated emotional relationships they have with them from childhood to adulthood. Imitation of life struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today.
Daniel itzkovitzs brilliant edition of imitation of life places this controversial novel at the center of u. The first of two film version of fannie hurst s novel, 1934s imitation of life chronicles the friendship between two womenone white claudette colbert, one black louise beavers. Imitation of life 1934 wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre. It was the only hollywood film of the 1930s to view race as a serious issue. Apr 14, 2020 brief biography of fannie hurst, american novelist best known for imitation of life. Imitation of life is a popular 1933 novel by fannie hurst that was adapted into two successful films for universal pictures. Imitation of life is the second film adaptation of fannie hurst s novel of the same name. Fannie hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century.
Aug 24, 2009 imitation of life 1933 is a book written by fannie hurst, a oncefamous american writer. Imitation of life edition 1 by fannie hurst 9780822333241. She is the author of 17 novels and more than 250 short stories, as well as plays, screenplays, memoirs, essays and articles. Imitation of life book by fannie hurst thriftbooks.
Books by hurst, fannie sorted by popularity project gutenberg. Colbert is a widow with a baby daughter who hires beavers, who also has a daughter, as a housekeeper. She conquered the literary scene at the same time the silent movie industry began to emerge as a tremendously profitable and popular form of entertainment. This glamorized remake of the 1934 film imitation of life bears only a passing resemblance to its source, the bestselling novel by fannie hurst. A laugh on life with a tear behind it fannie hurst 14. Childhood bullies and an abusive stepfather invade his dreams, and at times he wishes life would grant him a doover. Fannie hurst was born on october 18, 1889 in hamilton, ohio, usa. Imitation of life books gateway duke university press. May 11, 2020 brief biography of fannie hurst, american novelist best known for imitation of life. Imitation of life kindle edition by fannie hurst, daniel itzkovitz. The book was made into a hollywood film in 1934 and 1959.
The screenplay by william hurlbut, based on fannie hurst s 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including preston sturges and finley peter dunne. He works hard, takes care of his little sister, and pays the bills. Buy imitation of life by fannie hurst online at alibris. Imitation of life by hurst, fannie and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A bestseller when first published, fannie hursts 1933 novel, imitation of life 2 has spawned two american adaptations. A bestseller inand subsequently adapted into two beloved imitafion controversial films, imitation of life has played a vital role in ongoing conversations about race, femininity, and the. Pdf on jan 1, 1990, jane caputi and others published specifying fannie. She is the author of 17 novels and more than 250 short stories, as well. Daniel itzkovitzs introduction situates imitation of life in its literary. In the early 1920s, fannie hurst s enormous popularity made her the highestpaid writer in america. Stahls in 1934 and douglas sirks in 1959 investigate a. The author of numerous bestselling novels, a masterful short story writer, and an outspoken social activist, fannie hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century.
She graduated from washington university in 1909 and continued her studies at columbia university in new york city. A story of an american girl fannie hurst 31 downloads. The first of two film version of fannie hursts novel, 1934s imitation of life chronicles the friendship between two womenone white claudette colbert, one black louise beavers. Dec 07, 2004 imitation of life struck a chord in the 1930s, and it continues to resonate powerfully today. Stahl, 1934, based on fannie hurst s acclaimed novel, was a defining moment in the history of women in film and a watershed moment for africanamerican casting in hollywood. A bestseller in 1933, and subsequently adapted into two beloved and controversial films, imitation of life has played a vital role in ongoing conversations about. Fannie hurst harry ransom center the university of texas at. Hurst was socially and politically active and a close friend of.
Fannie hurst, american novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter. Modernity, modernism, and racial passing in fannie hursts imitation of life. Imitation of life is a 1934 american drama film directed by john m. Imitation of life by fannie hurst, stated 2nd printing published as a tower books edition by world publishing co.
Her work combined sentimental, romantic themes with social issues of the day, such as womens rights and race relations. Imitation of life struck a chord in the s, and it continues to resonate powerfully fannie hurst was a major celebrity in the first half of the twentieth century. The manuscripts of almost all of hursts books, including her most famous works such as humoresque, back street, lummox, imitation of life, and anatomy of. Among her bestknown works are back street 1930 and lummox 1923.
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