Lady Jennifer (novel)
Author | John Strange Winter |
---|---|
Language | English |
Genre | Drama |
Publication date | 1908 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type |
Lady Jennifer is a 1908 novel by British writer Henrietta Stannard, published under her pseudonym John Strange Winter. In 1915, it was adapted into a silent film of the same title starring Harry Royston.
Synopsis
Nancy Trevor, from a humble background, falls in love with the painter Dick Harrington, but she is already engaged to the baronet Sir William Jennifer. She marries him out of a sense of duty and attempts to be a good wife, but not before she has received incriminatingly flirtatious letters from Dick. William fires his mean-spirited valet, Reeves, for dishonesty, and Reeves acquires one of the letters. Reeves meets William's illegitimate elder half-brother, who also has a grudge against William, and the two scheme together. Reeves begins working for Dick in a ploy to gather more evidence. Ultimately, Dick gets his own revenge on William, and he and Nancy are happily reunited.
Publication
The novel was published in 1908. In England, it was sold by C.H. White for six shillings.[1] In Australia, it was sold by George Bell & Sons.[2] To promote the book, Stannard offered signed copies by mail order.[3][4]
In 1910, the story was serialized in the Australian magazine The Woman's Budget.[5]
Reception
Stannard was known as a prolific author, and The Daily Telegraph commented that her books were "not all on the same level".[1] Reviews compared the novel favourably to her prior works, with The Queenslander saying that "From 'Bootles' Baby' to 'Lady Jennifer' is a long call"[2] and The Daily Telegraph concluding that "Lady Jennifer is a distinct advance on many of her books, and will not only fully satisfy her faithful readers, but revive the fidelity of any waverers".[1] The North Mail commented that the book had come after a notable pause in activity, but the particular quality of the book would cause her fans to forgive her for the wait since "she has done nothing better than this."[6]
Reviewers particularly praised Stannard's sympathetic character development and the book's engaging plot.[1][2][6][7] According to the North Mail, "It has a plot which is quite lively, and is marked by its author's happy gift for the rapid delineation of character."[6] The Daily Telegraph described it as a "thrilling" reading experience, and commented that "she has lost none of her vivacity nor invention. Indeed [...] she is more full of ideas than ever".[1] The Evening Standard was less glowing but still positive, saying that the novel "has an amusing, rather melodramatic plot, skilfully constructed and worked out with much easy dialogue and some fairly shaky grammar."[7] They criticized the revenge of William's half-brother as "rather machine-made".[7] Of the novel's ending, The Evening Standard says, "regarded as a humorous bit of poetic justice, it makes the frivolous reader's heart rejoice".[7]
Film adaptation
Lady Jennifer was adapted into a 1915 British silent film of the same title starring Harry Royston.[8][9] The film had four parts.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Lady Jennifer". The Daily Telegraph. 11 December 1908. p. 15. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ a b c ""Lady Jennifer"". The Queenslander. 8 May 1909. p. 20. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ "A Novel Offer". The Ashbourne News and Dove Valley Record. 25 December 1908. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ "Do You Collect Autographs?". Sevenoaks Chronicle. 18 December 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ ""Lady Jennifer," A Sensational Love Story". The Evening News. 19 January 1910. p. 10. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "John Strange Winter". North Mail, Newcastle Daily Chronicle. 18 December 1908. p. 8. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Novel Note". Evening Standard. 18 February 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ Goble p.506
- ^ a b "The Picture House". Evening Telegraph. 2 May 1916. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
Bibliography
- Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.