Letters of Susan Hale, edited by Caroline P. Atkinson, is a captivating collection of personal correspondence that offers a vivid portrait of 19th-century life through the eyes of Susan Hale (1833–1910), a spirited American artist, writer, and world traveler. Published in 1919, these letters showcase Hale’s wit, curiosity, and keen observational skills as she chronicles her adventures across Europe, the Caribbean, and the American West, alongside her interactions with prominent figures of the era.
Hale’s writing brims with humor, warmth, and sharp social commentary, whether she’s describing the quirks of Venetian gondoliers, the challenges of mountain climbing in Switzerland, or the domestic dramas of her famous family (her brother was the Rev. Edward Everett Hale, author of The Man Without a Country). Edited by her close friend Caroline Atkinson, the collection preserves Hale’s irreverent voice and unpretentious charm, revealing a woman ahead of her time in her independence and zest for experience.
A delightful window into Gilded Age culture and the art of letter-writing, Letters of Susan Hale is both a historical gem and a testament to the enduring power of a well-told tale.
