Papers of Blanche Chenery Perrin, 1940-1973.

ArchivalResource

Perrin, Blanche Chenery. Papers of Blanche Chenery Perrin, 1940-1973.

Papers of Blanche Chenery Perrin, 1940-1973.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/30793565

The collection contains the author's outlines, drafts, and final manuscripts for some of her novels and short stories as well as correspondence dealing with their publication and critical evaluation by professional readers and reviewers. Typescripts include the final manuscript of "The Hazel Branch" and two drafts of the children's book "Hundred Horse Farm" (originally titled "Wishes and Horses"). A handwritten outline of the latter story is also included. Correspondence concerning the publication of "Hundred Horse Farm" includes a letter from Mary Stolz suggesting changes and ten letters from Leslie M. Pachell initially declining the manuscript, then responding positively to a second version, suggesting further changes, and finally offering Perrin a contract. Typescripts of unpublished works include two drafts of "The Inner Harbor" (one with the author's pencilled annotations), a novel portraying New York suburban life in the 1950s; "Captain Sally," a fictionalized biography for young adults about Miss Sally Tompkins, a nurse during the Civil War; and "Time Out of Mind," a work based on Perrin's own Virginia childhood in the 1890s. There is also a photograph of Sally Tompkins, research material for the latter two works, and letters from publishers declining their publication. Typed and handwritten critiques by professional readers of the "Captain Sally" and "Inner Harbor" manuscripts are included as well. Mary Squire Abbott, a professional reader for the latter novel suggested that the subject matter might be too sensitive for "a fiction market now gone very pure." Since the novel was written in 1953 at the height of the McCarthy Era, it is possible that the novel's treatment of homosexuality and antisemitism kept it from being published. The collection also contains scrapbooks of reviews and clippings relating to the published novels "Deepwood" and "By the Same Door." In addition to these longer works, the collection contains 50 shorter pieces, chiefly typescripts of stories. A few of these are accompanied by drafts and research material. Outlines and research material for unfinished stories complete the collection.

200 items.

University of Virginia. Library