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reviews_and_ramblings ([personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2009-07-12 11:41 am

In memory of Mazo de la Roche

Mazo de la Roche (January 15, 1879 – July 12, 1961), born Mazo Louise Roche in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, was the author of the Jalna novels, one of the most popular series of books of her time.

At the age of seven, her parents adopted de la Roche's orphaned younger cousin Caroline Clement, who joined in her fantasy world game and would become her lifelong companion. The two lived a fairly reclusive life; their relationship was not discussed widely in the press. In 1931 they adopted two children whose parents were friends of Clement and de la Roche and who had died.

De la Roche had her first story published in 1902 in Munsey's Magazine but did not begin her writing career in earnest until after the death of her father. Her first two novels, Possession (1923) and Delight (1926), were romantic novels and earned her little in income or recognition. Her third novel, Jalna, was submitted to the American magazine Atlantic Monthly, winning a $10,000 award. Its victory and subsequent publication in 1927 brought de la Roche fame and fortune at the age of 48.

The Jalna series has sold more than eleven million copies in 193 English and 92 foreign editions. In 1935, the film Jalna, based on the novel, was released by RKO Radio Pictures and, in 1972, a CBC television series was produced based on the series. Mazo de la Roche is buried near the grave of Stephen Leacock at St. George's Anglican Church, at Sibbald Point, near Sutton, Ontario.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/20943012/

[identity profile] chrissymunder.livejournal.com 2009-07-12 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow - until I saw this post I had practically forgotten the Jalna series. Thanks for reminding me.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-07-12 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
It's strange how romance / romantic novelists have not the audience they deserve after their death. Elisa

[identity profile] cerisaye.livejournal.com 2009-07-12 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I grew up in Canada in the 70s so I read the Jalna books as a teenager (once I'd exhausted Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series). They deserve to be more widely known.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-07-12 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
It's one of those authors who is near the heart of many little readers but not so much to media. And her life is so interesting. Elisa

[identity profile] bodleian.livejournal.com 2009-07-13 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
I can remember reading these stories when I was at school. Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2009-07-13 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
You are welcome :-) Elisa