Gertrude Atherton 
Californians 

First published in 1898, ‘The Californians’ depicts life in California at the turn of the century. As California undergoes a period of rapid change and diversification, so too do the two young protagonists – the wealthy, shy Magdalena finds herself outshone at every turn by her best friend Helena as the two girls become young women. A tale about love, morals, and women’s rights in old California, this is a gripping and intriguing tale from the feminist author Gertrude Atherton. –