Herbs and Apples

In this 1925 semi-autobiographical novel, a young woman named Derrick Thornton pursues her literary ambitions from small-town Ohio to college and then to Manhattan. The story traces her path as an aspiring writer and poet through the perspective of her college friend Sue. Derrick forms deep bonds with five other literary-minded college freshmen, establishing herself as the group's most talented and determined member. Her dedication to art leads her to reject traditional expectations for women, including marriage, as she works to establish herself in the literary world of New York City during World War I. Life circumstances and personal loss force Derrick to confront the tension between her artistic aspirations and her responsibilities to family and home. The novel chronicles her evolution from an ambitious young writer to a woman who must make difficult choices about her path forward. The novel explores themes of artistic sacrifice, the pull between ambition and duty, and the unexpected ways life can redirect one's dreams. It presents a nuanced portrayal of how external forces and internal changes shape the course of a creative life.

This book appears to have limited reader reviews and engagement online, with only a small number of ratings on Goodreads and Amazon. Readers highlighted Santmyer's descriptions of early 20th century small-town Ohio life and her portrayal of a young woman's coming-of-age experiences. Multiple reviews noted the book's semi-autobiographical nature added authenticity to the narrative. Some readers found the pacing slow and the writing style dated. A few mentioned difficulty connecting with the main character's choices and attitudes that reflect the book's 1920s origins. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (2 ratings) The book remains relatively obscure, with few detailed reviews available online. One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "Interesting snapshot of life in small-town Ohio during the early 1900s, though the story drags in places." Note: Due to the small number of available reviews, this summary may not represent the full range of reader opinions.

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🎯 The novel remained relatively unknown until Santmyer's later work "...And Ladies of the Club" became a surprise bestseller when she was 88 years old 📚 Like her protagonist, Santmyer attended Wellesley College and later moved to New York City to pursue a writing career before returning to Ohio ⚔️ The book's portrayal of World War I's impact on American society draws from Santmyer's personal experiences during the war years 🎨 The novel's exploration of women's artistic ambitions was groundbreaking for 1925, challenging prevalent social expectations about female authors 🏛️ The fictional women's college in the book is based on Wellesley College's architecture, traditions, and intellectual atmosphere of the early 1900s