''Eben Holden: A Tale of the North Country'' is a 1900 novel by
Irving Bacheller. It was a popular book at the time of its release, among the top 10 bestselling books in the United States
in both 1900 and 1901. The book is set in the
North Country region of
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
.
Publication
Bacheller's first draft of the novel was meant for children, which he submitted to ''
St. Nicholas Magazine
''St. Nicholas'' was a popular monthly American children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873 and named after the Christian saint. The first editor was Mary Mapes Dodge, who continued her association with the magazine until her death in 1 ...
'' and other publications, which all rejected it.
[Harkins, E.F. (July 1903)]
Little Pilgrimage Among the Men Who Have Written Famous Books
''The Literary World'' When ''
David Harum'' (1898) became a big success, he revised it in a similar mold. It was released by
Lothrop Publishing Company on July 2, 1900. It found immediate popularity, reportedly selling 125,000 copies in the first four months of release.
[ Harding, Walter]
Eben Holden (retrospective review)
in ''The Georgia Review
''The Georgia Review'' is a literary journal based in Athens, Georgia. Founded at University of Georgia in 1947, the journal features poetry, fiction, essays, book reviews, and visual art. The journal has won National Magazine Awards for Ficti ...
'' (Vol. 10, No.2, Summer 1956, pp. 240-43) For the February and March 1901 issues of ''
The Bookman'', it tied with ''
Alice of Old Vincennes'' as the best-selling book in the United States.
[(January 1902)]
Popular Fiction of 1901
'' The Bookman'', pp. 454-55[ Maurice, Arthur Bartlett (November 1900)]
Irving Bacheller's "Eben Holden" (review)
'' The Bookman'', Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 235-37 ("At the beginning of this review the writer wishes to say that Mr. Bacheller's book seems to have been very strongly suggested by ''David Harum''. Once this is pointed out there is nothing else that demands serious adverse criticism ...") As a result, some modern references refer to the novel as the "first best-selling novel of the 20th century."
A "dramatic edition" of the novel was released in 1901 with seven photographs of the play based on the novel, and an author portrait.
[(January 1902)]
The Lothrop Publishing Company
''The Bookseller'' In 1903, twelve photographs by
Clarence Hudson White
Clarence Hudson White (April 8, 1871 – July 8, 1925) was an American photographer, teacher and a founding member of the Photo-Secession movement. He grew up in small towns in Ohio, where his primary influences were his family and the social lif ...
were included in a "de luxe" edition of the novel.
A 1956 article by literary scholar
Walter Harding noted that while the book had fallen far out of popularity by then (the copy he reviewed had last been checked out of the library in 1931), "one was not well-read in 1900 unless he had read ''Eben Holden.''" While he opined that "its sentimentality borders on the laughable ... its melodrama is impossible
ndits language is deplorable," he concluded that "despite all this, it is still surprisingly readable."
Bacheller's slim volume, ''Eben Holden's Last Day A-Fishing'', was published in 1907.
[(10 October 1907)]
The Latest Books
''Life''
Adaptations
Edward Everett Rose was commissioned to adapt the novel into a play, which had its Broadway debut on October 28, 1901 at the
Savoy Theatre
The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J. Phipps for Richard D'Oyly Carte and opened on 10 October 1881 on a site previously occupied by the Savoy ...
, managed by
Charles Frohman
Charles Frohman (July 15, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American theater manager and producer, who discovered and promoted many stars of the American stage. Frohman produced over 700 shows, and among his biggest hits was '' Peter Pan'', both ...
, and with
Edmund Milton Holland playing the title role. It played through December 14 before going on tour.
[(29 October 1901)]
"Eben Holden" at the Savoy
''The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
''[(11 March 1902)]
Return of Eben Holden
''The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
''[(28 October 1901)]
Advertisement (for opening night of play)
''The World''[(14 December 1901)]
Advertisement (for closing night of play)
''The World''
Legacy
Bacheller graduated from
St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college in the village of Canton in St. Lawrence County, New York. It has roughly 2,100 undergraduate and 100 graduate students.
Though St. Lawrence today is nonsectarian, it was founded in 1 ...
in 1882, and later served on its board of trustees. The University's English honor society is called The Irving Bacheller Society, and all inductees receive a copy of ''Eben Holden''. Eben Holden is also the name of a campus building.
[(7 April 2005)]
NetNews
, St. Lawrence University, Retrieved 4 January 2016[Eben Holden](_blank)
stlawu.edu, Retrieved 4 January 2016)[(18 May 2014)]
Honor Societies Induct Newest Members
stlawu.edu, Retrieved 4 January 2016[St. Lawrence University Bulletin](_blank)
p. 23 (1966) ("Eben Holden Hall contains a lounge and a dining area seating 410.")
References
External links
Full texton
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg (PG) is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, as well as to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks."
It was founded in 1971 by American writer Michael S. Hart and is the oldest digital li ...
.
Full bookvia Google Books.
via North Country Public Radio
* {{ibdb show, id=3263, title=Eben Holden
1900 American novels
Novels set in New York (state)