November Discussion: Ramona

As part of a "Bestseller Books of Yesteryear" series we will be exploring world history through the eyes of the more obscure books that, while probably not widely read nowadays, were bestsellers in their time. In this case, we will be exploring California history through the novel "Ramona" by Helen Hunt Jackson.

The Barnes & Noble Overview of the Novel:
Ramona is an 1884 American novel written by Helen Hunt Jackson. Set in in Southern California after the Mexican-American War, it portrays the life of a mixed-race Scots-Native American orphan girl, who suffers racial discrimination and hardship. Originally serialized in the Christian Union on a weekly basis, the novel became immensely popular. It has had more than 300 printings, and been adapted four times as a film. A play adaptation has been performed annually outdoors since 1923. The novel's influence on the culture and image of Southern California was considerable. Its sentimental portrayal of Mexican colonial life contributed to establishing a unique cultural identity for the region. As its publication coincided with the arrival of railroad lines to the region, countless tourists visited who wanted to see the locations of the novel.

This is an online meetup so a Zoom link will be sent out via email just prior.

• What to bring:
The book, questions/ideas for discussion!

You can find the Kindle book on Amazon for free: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UJHT10/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_48GEFb9KP0D0F?fbclid=IwAR0ofE09d2Z5SjaYl_0LHNJxl89B43Rlm82fTFzotghMVPsZySwUj_tQ-KE

It is also available on Overdrive, or as a paperback on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184310658926?fbclid=IwAR2hX_4uB0sCyDaJ7OqrQpQPEYEkstxMUxtxSuterHWXwv3eAGsdUZrmV_g

⏰ Agenda
6pm Introductions & virtual catch-up, icebreakers
6:30 Book Discussion
7:30ish Wrap Up

FYI: Any screens that show up blank or without audio will be removed to prevent trolling, so do technical troubleshooting ahead of time if possible!