Belva Plain (1915–2010,) née Belva Offenberg, was an American mainstream novelist. Her multigenerational family sagas of Jewish American life won a loyal readership in the millions.
Born in New York City, Plain studied history at Barnard College, New York City. She authored short stories for Cosmopolitan and Good Housekeeping magazines before putting her career on hold to raise three children.
Plain published her first novel when she was 63. Disillusioned by the stereotypical characterization of Jewish characters—particularly possessive mothers and worn-out fathers—Plain cast her Jewish protagonists as strong-minded individuals who faced adversity with emotional strength. Her best-selling novels were translated into 22 languages.
Plain’s first novel was Evergreen (1978,) the saga of Anna, a feisty, redheaded Jewish immigrant girl from Poland. This book topped the New York Times Bestseller List for 41 weeks in hardcover and another 20 in paperback and was later made into an NBC miniseries. Anna’s story continued in The Golden Cup (1987) and Tapestry (1988.) In Crescent City (1984,) Plain used the American Civil War as a backdrop for the story, which explored Jewish life during that conflict.
Plain’s other works touched on such issues as babies switched at birth (Daybreak, 1994,) adoption (Blessings, 1989,) the sexual abuse of children (The Carousel, 1995,) divorce (Promises, 1996,) jealousy and deception (Legacy of Silence, 1998,) and betrayal (Looking Back, 2001.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Belva Plain
How helpless we are, like netted birds, when we are caught by desire!
—Belva Plain
Topics: Desire
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