Only Wonderful Things: The Creative Partnership of Willa Cather & Edith Lewis

Melissa J. Homestead's book explores the relationship between American novelist Willa Cather and her life partner Edith Lewis, challenging the portrayal of Cather as a solitary genius and highlighting Lewis's significant role as her close literary collaborator and editor. Homestead reconstructs their life together, including their time in New York City and their travels in the American Southwest, which formed the basis of Cather's novels. The book offers a refreshing take on lesbian life in early twentieth-century America.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

A groundbreaking new perspective on American novelist Willa Cather's creative process

What would Willa Cather's widely read and cherished novels have looked like if she had never met magazine editor and copywriter Edith Lewis? In this groundbreaking book on Cather's relationship with her life partner, author Melissa J. Homestead challenges the established portrayal of Cather as a solitary genius and reassesses the role that Lewis, who has so far been largely invisible by scholars, played in shaping Cather's work. By inviting Lewis to share the spotlight alongside this pivotal American writer, Homestead argues that Lewis was not just Cather's companion but also her close literary collaborator and editor.

Drawing on an array of previously unpublished sources, Homestead skillfully reconstructs Cather and Lewis's life together, from their time in New York City to their travels in the American Southwest that formed the basis of the novels "The Professor's House" and "Death Comes for the Archbishop." After Cather's death and in the midst of the Cold War panic over homosexuality, the story of her life with Edith Lewis could not be told, but by telling it now, Homestead offers a refreshing take on lesbian life in early twentieth-century America.

In this groundbreaking book, Melissa J. Homestead sheds new light on the creative partnership between Willa Cather and Edith Lewis, challenging the traditional narrative that portrays Cather as a solitary genius. Homestead argues that Lewis was not just Cather's companion but also her close literary collaborator and editor, playing a significant role in shaping her work. Through an extensive exploration of previously unpublished sources, Homestead reconstructs the life of Cather and Lewis, from their time in New York City to their travels in the American Southwest, which served as the inspiration for many of Cather's novels.

One of the key insights of Homestead's book is that Lewis was not just a companion to Cather but also a key literary figure in her own right. She contributed to Cather's writing in various ways, including editing, proofreading, and providing valuable feedback. Lewis's contributions have often been overlooked or marginalized by scholars, who have focused primarily on Cather's achievements.

Homestead's book also sheds light on the challenges faced by lesbian couples in early twentieth-century America. Cather and Lewis lived a private life, and their relationship was not widely known or accepted during their lifetime. After Cather's death, the story of their life together could not be told openly due to the social and political climate of the time. However, by telling it now, Homestead offers a refreshing take on lesbian life in early twentieth-century America, challenging stereotypes and providing a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals during this period.

In conclusion, "The Secret Life of Willa Cather and Edith Lewis" is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh perspective on the creative partnership between Willa Cather and Edith Lewis. By challenging the established narrative and highlighting Lewis's contributions, Homestead provides a more comprehensive understanding of Cather's life and work. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on Cather and LGBTQ+ studies, and it will interest scholars, readers, and anyone interested in the intersection of literature, sexuality, and social history.

Weight: 684g
Dimension: 167 x 243 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190652876