Marietta Holley
Marietta Holley, was an American humorist who used satire to comment on U.S. society and politics. Holley enjoyed a prolific writing career and was a bestselling author in the late 19th century, though she was largely forgotten by the time of her death. Her writing was frequently compared to that of Mark Twain and Edgar Nye. Along with Frances Miriam Whitcher and Ann S. Stephens, Holley is regarded as one of America's most significant early female humorists. Her work appealed to all classes of society. Her readers were scattered over the entire world, and included men and women of every station and grade. Her books were widely read in Europe.
Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 6
A quick-witted woman finds herself entangled in a small town's drama, challenging social norms, religious expectations, and her friend's deadly illness.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha at the World's Fair
When a long-lost relative with a familiar name arrives unexpectedly, a sharp-witted woman's journey to the World's Fair becomes a comical blend of personal aspirations and social observations.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha on the Race Problem
In a post-Civil War America, a family visit sparks a fiery debate about race, revealing clashing viewpoints and a looming sense of social unrest.
By Marietta Holley
Josiah's Secret: A Play
In a humorous clash of expectations, a husband's traditional views are hilariously challenged when his wife playfully embodies outdated ideals, sparking a journey toward understanding the true value of women's work.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha Among the Brethren, Complete
Watch a headstrong woman hilariously challenge the status quo in her church and home, sparking debates about women's rights with her old-fashioned husband.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 4
As neighbors prepare for the world to end, a witty woman's practical outlook hilariously clashes with their fervent beliefs when doomsday doesn't arrive.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha on Children's Rights
In a world of strict rules and high expectations, a young boy's quest for understanding clashes with his family's rigid ways.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha on the Woman Question
In a world of unfair laws and expectations, one woman's journey to Washington, D.C., becomes a battle cry for women's rights and equality.
By Marietta Holley
Sweet Cicely — or Josiah Allen as a Politician
Amidst societal challenges and political conflicts, a woman fights to shield her son from the harmful impacts of alcoholism while navigating familial relationships and personal difficulties.
By Marietta Holley
The Lament of the Mormon Wife: A Poem
Torn between love and despair, a wife shares her agony as her husband's affections stray to another, leaving her to grapple with loneliness and dreams of what could have been.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha at Saratoga
A witty woman drags her reluctant husband to a fancy resort where their old-fashioned values clash with modern society, leading to hilarious situations.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 2
A woman hilariously tackles unexpected guests, kitchen calamities, and social expectations, revealing both the joys and frustrations of her time.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 7
A quick-witted woman hilariously challenges expectations within her church and community.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 5
: In a world where women are expected to be quiet, one woman finds her voice to challenge the rules of the church and fights for her place.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha in Europe
A spirited woman's voyage across the Atlantic turns into a hilarious exploration of Europe, filled with witty observations and quirky encounters.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha Among the Colored Folks: "My Ideas on the Race Problem"
A determined woman's perspective shifts when a relative comes to visit, sparking debates about race, equality, and the moral duties of individuals in a divided nation.
By Marietta Holley
Samantha among the Brethren — Volume 1
In a world of old traditions, a witty woman uses humor to challenge how her community sees women's roles in both church and society.
By Marietta Holley
Poems
A young woman's life is marked by love, loss, and longing, as she navigates the complexities of the human heart and the social conventions that shape her world.
By Marietta Holley
Josiah Allen's Wife as a P. A. and P. I.: Samantha at the Centennial. Designed As a Bright and Shining Light, to Pierce the Fogs of Error and Injustice That Surround Society and Josiah, and to Bring More Clearly to View the Path That Leads Straight on to Virtue and Happiness.
Witness a battle-of-wits between a strong-minded wife and her opinionated husband as they navigate societal expectations and literary ambitions on their journey to the Centennial Exposition.
By Marietta Holley
Josiah Allen on the Woman Question
In a world turned upside down by changing times, a man sets out to prove his point about women, only to find humor—and perhaps a bit of humility—along the way.
By Marietta Holley