The elegant, mannered writing of Anya Seton has captivated readers for nearly 70 years. Best known for her novel Green Darkness, Seton wrote on a variety of time periods and imbuing each of her novels with memorable characters and well-researched locations. Though she preferred to call her works "biographical novels," she is regularly cited among romance readers and historical romance novelists as being the best of the breed.
She was born Ann Seton, daughter of Boy Scout of America founder and naturalist writer Ernest Thompson Seton and travel writer Grace Gallatin, in New York City in 1904. Family wealth allowed her and her parents extensive travel, a luxury that informed many of her novels. Married and divorced twice, Seton's intense interest in philosophy and religion also found its way into many of her writings. Her meticulous eye for detail and language gave each book its own identity, though occasionally the results were less than satisfactory. She died in 1990 after years of ill health.
Because of her work's association with with romance readers and writers, Seton rarely received the literary respect she was due. Nonetheless, Anya Seton's books remain well-loved decades after they were written, selling in bookstores and auction sites. Seton's themes are enduring: strong, courageous female protagonists whose hearts lead them astray or have societal demands placed on them before coming into their own. She had a remarkable ability to bring famous and not-so-famous characters to life in the background and forefront of her stories. Her most popular titles were recently reissued by Chicago Review Press (Katherine, Green Darkness, Dragonwyck, Avalon) and also in Canada.
(NOTE: It goes without saying that this is not the estimable Anya Seton but your comments about her and her writing are most welcome. In fact, should you decide to post a comment, please include your favorite Anya Seton book and why it means so much to you. Mine is Green Darkness. I first read it at age 18 and it completely entranced me. I've read and re-read countless times over the years, never once tiring of her intricate detailing and true-to-life characters. I also adore Katherine, Devil Water, and Avalon.)
