Legend

"Legend" by Clemence Dane is a story set after the death of a famous writer, Madala Grey, that looks at how people remember and write about her. The story, told by a character named Jenny, explores the ideas of fame, what it means to be a true artist, and the complicated friendships between women in the writing world, especially between Madala and her biographer, Anita Serle. The story starts with Anita's biography of Madala coming out and causing a stir. Jenny thinks back on her time with Anita and the often intense feelings, like love and jealousy, that surround famous writers. The book has a sad and curious feeling, as Jenny tries to understand the lives of these writers as they deal with both their own stories and the stories others tell about them after Madala is gone, pulling the reader into a world of book reviews, relationships, and the weight of the past.