The Spinster Book (1901)

The Spinster Book (1901)

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Introducing The Spinster Book (1901), a vintage publication that sheds light on turn-of-the-century attitudes about romance, courtship, and the roles of men and women in that process. At a time when unmarried women had limited options for hurrying along a romance, the advice presented here is certain to have helped many.

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Kristin Holt | The Spinster Book Vintage Title Image

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by Myrtle Reed

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York and London

Published 1901 (and many subsequent printings)

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Kristin Holt | The Spinster book. Photograph of Myrtle Reed, American Author, Poet, Journalist, and Philanthropist. (1874 -- 1911) [Image: Public Domain, Wikipedia]

Myrtle Reed, American Author, Poet, Journalist, and Philanthropist. (1874 — 1911) [Image: Public Domain, Wikipedia]

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Who says spinsters are unaware of what makes a man tick?!

Myrtle Reed’s The Spinster Book (1901) charms and informs about Victorian courtship. Much of her anecdotal advice for a young lady’s happiness in courtship is humorous and spot-on. Much of her direction celebrates the bright minds of young (and not-so young) women, and in particular, their ability to bring their beau around to seeing things a little differently. She manages to poke a little fun at a conceited man (a pastime of spinsters?).

I’ve selected a short segment to share with you. Picture a courting couple in her family’s parlor. He rests in an upholstered chair, the magazine open upon his lap. Between reading to her, his thoughts wander down a path that his best girl directs. Myrtle’s suggestions for a conversation made me chuckle. Read on!

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Men are Like Cats

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Kristin Holt | Spinster Book, quote: "Men, like cats, need only to be stroked in the right direction. The problem thus becomes the question of direction, which is seldom as simple as it looks." ~ Myrtle Reed, 1901.

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Kristin Holt | The Spinster Book, A Man's Conceit, Part 1

Kristin Holt | The Spinster Book, A Man's Conceit, Part 2

Kristin Holt | The Spinster Book, A Man's Conceit, Part 3

Kristin Holt | The Spinster Book, A Man's Conceit, Part 4

Kristin Holt | The Spinster Book, A Man's Conceit, Part 5

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Kristin Holt | Photograph of American Beauties Roses (brilliant pink). Courtesy of The Garden Diary. Related to The Spinster Book.

Photograph of American Beauties Roses (brilliant pink). Courtesy of The Garden Diary.

Kristin Holt | Vintage Postcard with artwork of turn-of-the-century woman in evening dress, inhaling the scen tof American Beauty Roses in a bud vase. Image courtesy of Jackie's Vintage Postcards.

Vintage Postcard, courtesy of Jackie’s Vintage Postcards.

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Recommended Links:

  1. Reviews: The Spinster Book on Goodreads
  2. Free ebook: The Spinster Book (ebook is free in its entirety) on Project Gutenburg
  3. Kindle Edition: The Spinster Book (ebook is free on Amazon)
  4. The Spinster Book (ebook available with membership) on Forgotten Books
  5. The Spinster Book (ebooks) on Hathi Trust
  6. Myrtle Reed page on Wikipedia

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Updated May 2022
Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC