Romance genre fiction authors today often find their works less respected by literary critics despite immense popularity. A similar fate has befallen the romance writers of the past who have quietly slipped into oblivion despite a similar popularity during their lifetimes. One such author is Caroline Howard Jervey.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1823, and left a widow with three children after only four years of marriage, Caroline Howard Jervey supported her family by teaching school and, following in the footsteps of her more well-known mother, Caroline Howard Gillman, also a successful author, writing poems, children’s stories, and serial romance novels at night.
Her dedication to her writing was exceptional. In 1870, the gravely ill Howard dictated her second novel to one of her daughters.
A review in the January 1859 Atlantic Monthly acknowledges the wide circulation of her novel Vernon Grove and attributes it to the pleasantness of the story and the guaranteed happy ending..
“It is a story, for the most part, of cultivated pleasantness. There are sufferings and sorrows depicted in it, it is true; without them there would be no depiction of real life, which it does not fail to be. Some tears undoubtedly will be shed over it, but the sufferings and sorrows are such that we feel after all that they are leading to happiness; and we are not made to dwell upon pictures of unnecessary misery or unavailing misfortune.”
The following excerpt is from Vernon Grove, p. 30
“Drive quickly,” she said in an tone which seemed accustomed to command, “or we shall be too late for the Exhibition, but first to my brother’s.”
The coachman obeyed, and the elegant equipage rolled noiselessly along the streets, attracting the attention of many a pedestrian by the perfect keeping of the whole: the silver mountings shone brilliantly in the sunshine, the dark green panels reflected the lights and shadows on their polished surfaces, and the steeds had that proud, almost conscious air, which betokens blood, and though spirited, were managed by their skillful driver with no unpracticed hand.
“Happy lady,” laughed a child of poverty, who with bare feet was pattering along the dusty highway, as she caught a glimpse of the coach and its occupant.
“Happy lady,” echoed a weary, toil-worn man, “what prevents her from being contented? God knows that to me riches would bring happiness.”
“Happier child and laborer,” said the invisible spirits of the air, “for you life has some object, your sleep is sweet; ye labor for an end; for her the only end is pleasure, and pleasure does not bring peace.”
Caroline Howard Jervey’s Works
Vernon Grove: Or Hearts as They Were 1859
Helen Courtenay’s Promise, 1866
“Red Riding Hood” in Our Young Folks: An Illustrated Magazine for Boys and Girls 1869
Poems and Stories by a Mother and Daughter, written with her mother, Mrs.Caroline Howard Gilman 1872
The Lost Children: A Musical Entertainment for Children in 5 Acts 1870
The Young Fortune Teller: Oracles for Youth 1874
An author’s wreath will deck thy name,
And you will gather praise and fame.
from The Young Fortune Teller