Gertrude Atherton 
Splendid, Idle Forties 

First published at the turn of the century, ’The Splendid, Idle Forties’ by feminist author Gertrude Atherton is a collection of short stories, all set in California. Romance and forbidden love are key themes throughout, and though each story stands alone, many refer to previous events and characters. Full of vivid descriptions, this is a wonderful collection of short stories from the Golden State, which inspires nostalgia for a bygone age.-