Jessa Crispin

Mary MacLane

A rerelease the daring, intellectually challenging diary by the 19-year-old memoirist from turn-of-the-20th-century Montana features confessional explorations of her sexuality that offer insight into her writing style and acclaim as one of the earliest American feminist authors and is complemented by a new forward by critic Jessa Crispin. Reprint.

I Await the Devil's Coming

Published in 1902 when the author was not yet twenty years old, Mary MacLane's searingly frank memoir is so far ahead of its time that it may shock even current-day readers. Indeed, the original title I Await the Devil's Coming (referring to MacLane's oft-expressed infatuation with Satan himself) was deemed too racy, and subsequent editions were published under the considerably tamer title The Story of Mary MacLane. No matter what you call it, it's a compelling, indelible read that will stick with you long after you've read the last sentence.

The Story of Mary MacLane

Que le diable m'emporte

Reproduction of the original: The Story of Mary MacLane by Mary MacLane

Reproduction of the original: I, Mary MacLane by Mary MacLane

I, Mary MacLane

Ich erwarte die Ankunft des Teufels

The Story of Mary Maclane

I, Mary MacLane : A Diary of Human Days IT is the edge of a somber July night in this Butte-Montana. The sky is overcast. The nearer mountains are gray-melancholy. And at this point I meet Me face to face. I am Mary MacLane: of no importance to the wide bright world and dearly and damnably important to Me. Face to face I look at Me with some hatred, with despair and with great intentness. I put Me in a crucible of my own making and set it in the flaming trivial Inferno of my mind. And I assay thus: I am rare—I am in some ways exquisite. I am pagan within and without. I am vain and shallow and false. I am a specialized being, deeply myself. I am of woman-sex and most things that go with that, with some other pointes. I am dynamic but devasted, laid waste in spirit. I’m like a leopard and I’m like a poet and I’m like a religieuse and I’m like an outlaw. I have a potent weird sense of humor—a saving and a demoralizing grace. I have brain, cerebration—not powerful but fine and of a remarkable quality. I am scornful-tempered and I am brave. I am slender in body and someway fragile and firm-fleshed and sweet. I am oddly a fool and a strange complex liar and a spiritual vagabond. I am strong, individual in my falseness: wavering, faint, fanciful in my truth. I am eternally self-conscious but sincere in it. I am ultra-modern, very old-fashioned: savagely incongruous. I am young, but not very young. I am wistful—I am infamous. In brief, I am a human being. I am presciently and analytically egotistic, with some arresting dead-feeling genius. And were I not so tensely tiredly sane I would say that I am mad.

I, Mary MacLane : A Diary of Human Days

A Mary Maclane Anthology

Tender Darkness

A Mary MacLane Sampler

Die 19-jährige Mary MacLane wünscht sich Napoleon oder am besten gleich den Teufel als Liebhaber. Sie träumt von einer Revolution, während sie mit ihren Mitmenschen im provinziellen Montana genauso wenig anfangen kann wie mit ihren häuslichen Pflichten und der kargen Landschaft. Mary fühlt sich einsam auf der Suche nach sich selbst und dem guten Leben – und feiert trotzdem kraftvoll das eigene Ich.MacLane war völlig unbekannt, als sie 1902 ihr erstes, im Tagebuchstil verfasstes Buch veröffentlichte. Es wurde zum Skandal und seine Autorin zum Star. Reporter aus den Metropolen pilgerten in ihre Heimatstadt, Cocktails und Sportmannschaften wurden nach ihr benannt. Ihr Name wurde zum Inbegriff für rebellische junge Frauen. Auch über 100 Jahre später fasziniert es ungemein, wie virtuos und selbstverständlich Mary MacLane sämtliche Konventionen über den Haufen wirft, wie sie zwischen Größenwahn und Todessehnsucht, Resignation und Euphorie tänzelt.Zum ersten Mal in deutscher Übersetzung. "Mary MacLanes Werk gleicht einem Zug, der mit Höchstgeschwindigkeit durch eine verstaubte, erstarrte Welt rast." L'EXPRESS

“Anyone who reads her will never forget her voice.” - Biographile She’s been called first in many things - the first blogger, the first New Woman, the first female proto-surrealist, the first screen writer/star to break the fourth wall and directly address her audience (in 1917’s ground-breaking "Men Who Have Made Love to Me"). In her final book, Mary MacLane is the first media icon to destroy the celebrity distance and expose her inmost doubts, her hopes, her conflicted sexual history, the inner worlds of a creative personality - all in visionary prose unlike anything before or since. With her first book - written in 1901 at age nineteen - she was hailed as a marvel by the likes of H.L. Mencken, Clarence Darrow, and Harriet Monroe. She went on to become a pioneering newswoman, gambler extraordinaire, and bon vivant, to influence Gertrude Stein, inspire F. Scott Fitzgerald, be puzzled over by Mark Twain, and upon her death in 1929 be eulogized as “an errant daughter of literature ... the first of the self-expressionists, and also the first of the Flappers,” as the creator of “that revolution in manners, that transvaluation of values in the female code of behavior known as the Roaring Twenties.” This edition - fully annotated, with an illuminating introduction by Michael R. Brown, foremost MacLane scholar in the world today - conveys the full complexity and potency of Mary MacLane’s final self-expression.

The Annotated Edited Edition

I, Mary MacLane: A Diary of Human Days

“Mary MacLane comes off the page quivering with life. She is before her time ... Moving.” - London Times With her first book - written in 1901, at age nineteen - she was hailed as a marvel by the likes of H.L. Mencken, Clarence Darrow, and Harriet Monroe. She went on to become a pioneering newswoman, gambler extraordinaire, bon vivant, and a star of the silent screen. She influenced Gertrude Stein, inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald, was puzzled over by Mark Twain, and upon her death in 1929 was eulogized as “an errant daughter of literature ... the first of the self-expressionists, and also the first of the Flappers,” as the creator of “that revolution in manners, that transvaluation of values in the female code of behavior known as the Roaring Twenties.” In this authoritative critical edition, the best of Mary MacLane returns to print. With the complete text of her striking first book (with all expurgated passages restored), a selection of her colorful newspaper feature articles, a full-length 1902 interview with the enigmatic author, detailed notes and bibliography, Tender Darkness: A Mary MacLane Sampler reacquaints the reading public with a literary genius who took on the establishment - and won. “Mary MacLane’s first book was the first of the confessional diaries ever written in this nation, and it was a sensation.” - N.Y. Times editoral “Anyone who reads her will never forget her voice.” - Biographile “She reminds us of the power of personal narrative, honestly told.” - The Atlantic “In a pre-soundbite age she already knew how to draw blood in one direct sentence.” - The Awl “She had a short but fiery life of writing and misadventure, and her writing was a template for the confessional memoirs that have become ubiquitous.” - The New Yorker “One of the most fascinatingly self-involved personalities of the 20th century.” - The Age “A girl wonder.” - Harper’s “Confessional journalists have people like Mary MacLane to thank.” - Flavorwire “Her diaries ignited a national uproar, ushering in a new era for women’s voices. Her elegant, ambitious embrace of full-disclosure opened a door to what was possible for women.” - The Atlantic “Fiery frankness made her a pioneer.” - Time Out Chicago “Her poetry is one of extremes: lust for happiness, despair for life.” - Hairy Dog Review “Riveting.” - N.H. Public Radio “I Await the Devil’s Coming is a small masterpiece, full of camp and swagger.” - Parul Sehgal, NPR “Pioneering newswoman, later silent-screen star, considered the veritable spirit of the iconoclastic Twenties.” - Boston Globe “A pioneering feminist - a sensation.” - Feminist Bookstore News “First of the self-expressionists, and the first of the Flappers.” - Chicagoan Check marymaclane.com for exclusive content, news, and previews.

Tender Darkness: A Mary MacLane Sampler

Few books in US history have provoked more outrage and debate than The Story Of Mary Maclane did when it was first published in Chicago in 1902. With unprecedented frankness, the 19 year old author revealed her utter scorn for conformity and puritanism, her refusal to accept what she regarded as the stifling boredom and pettiness of middle class life, and her passionate insistence on sexual freedom, a life of adventure and excitement. Not for nothing has she been hailed as the first 'New Woman' in literature, the first flapper and a precursor of surrealism. This lively collection features the complete text of that signature work, plus a generous selection of her other writings, reprinted here for the first time; and edited and introduced by Penelope Rosemont. Two special sections focus on her short but sensational movie career, and her long association with the city she eventually chose as her home, and includes critical appreciations of her work by other Chicago writers: Clarence Darrow, Henry Blake Fuller and Harriet Monroe. "The Story Of Mary Maclane is little short of a miracle. No more marvelous books was ever born of a sensitive, precocious brain." [Clarence Darrow]

The Story of Mary MacLane & Other Writings

“Mary MacLane comes off the page quivering with life. She is before her time ... Moving.” - London Times With her first book - written in 1901 in Butte, Montana at age nineteen - she was hailed as a marvel by the likes of H.L. Mencken, Clarence Darrow, and Harriet Monroe. She went on to become a pioneering newswoman, gambler extraordinaire, bon vivant, and a star of the silent screen. She influenced Gertrude Stein, inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald, and upon her death in 1929 was eulogized as “an errant daughter of literature ... the first of the self-expressionists, and also the first of the Flappers,” as the creator of “that revolution in manners, that transvaluation of values in the female code of behavior known as the Roaring Twenties.” Too radical in style for 1902, its original publisher made countless changes to the author’s far-superior original - the same pacification reprinted by all other publishers. This annotated, unexpurgated affordable edition makes Mary Mac-Lane’s striking teenage debut - “the first of the blogs” - available in its unalterd, uncompromised form. “Mary MacLane’s first book was the first of the confessional diaries ever written in this nation, and it was a sensation.” - N.Y. Times editoral “Anyone who reads her will never forget her voice.” - Biographile “She reminds us of the power of personal narrative, honestly told.” - The Atlantic “In a pre-soundbite age she already knew how to draw blood in one direct sentence.” - The Awl “She had a short but fiery life of writing and misadventure, and her writing was a template for the confessional memoirs that have become ubiquitous.” - The New Yorker “One of the most fascinatingly self-involved personalities of the 20th century.” - The Age “A girl wonder.” - Harper’s “Confessional journalists have people like Mary MacLane to thank.” - Flavorwire “Her diaries ignited a national uproar, ushering in a new era for women’s voices. Her elegant, ambitious embrace of full-disclosure opened a door to what was possible for women.” - The Atlantic “Fiery frankness made her a pioneer.” - Time Out Chicago “Her poetry is one of extremes: lust for happiness, despair for life.” - Hairy Dog Review “Riveting.” - N.H. Public Radio “I Await The Devil’s Coming is a small masterpiece, full of camp and swagger.” - Parul Sehgal, NPR “Pioneering newswoman, later silent-screen star, considered the veritable spirit of the iconoclastic Twenties.” - Boston Globe “A pioneering feminist - a sensation.” - Feminist Bookstore News “First of the self-expressionists, and the first of the Flappers.” - Chicagoan Check www.marymaclane.com for exclusive content, news, and previews.

I Await the Devil's Coming: Annotated & Unexpurgated

“Anyone who reads her will never forget her voice.” - Biographile Mary MacLane (1881-1929) was the first of the modern media personalities: a pioneer in self-revelation, in defiance of established rules, in living on her own terms - and writing it in brilliant style. At age 19 she burst upon the world out of Butte, Montana with a journal of private thoughts and longings that incited national then international attention. In the books and newspaper articles that followed she evolved a completely new, individual voice decades ahead of its time. She influenced Gertrude Stein, inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald, and was hotly discussed by everyday people - and America’s biggest writers. Yet despite sparking film, stage, and music projects today - and being endlessly quoted on the Internet - the writer behind the writing has remained unknown until now. HUMAN DAYS: A MARY MACLANE READER features the complete texts of all her books (with expurgated passages restored), her colorful newspaper articles (much never before reprinted), an intriguing 1902 interview, the first viewing ever of her striking personal letters, illuminating introductions to each era in her life, and comprehensive notes that open the door to her influences and the age she came from and impacted so profoundly. A foreword from actress Bojana Novakovic provides a contemporary artist’s creative appreciation of the author’s still-powerful effect upon readers. “Mary MacLane comes off the page quivering with life. Moving.” - London Times “She reminds us of the power of personal narrative, honestly told.” - The Atlantic “In a pre-soundbite age she already knew how to draw blood in one direct sentence.” - The Awl “She had a short but fiery life of writing and misadventure, and her writing was a template for the confessional memoirs that have become ubiquitous.” - The New Yorker “One of the most fascinatingly self-involved personalities of the 20th century.” - The Age “A girl wonder.” - Harper’s “Confessional journalists have people like Mary MacLane to thank.” - Flavorwire “Her diaries ignited a national uproar, ushering in a new era for women’s voices. Her elegant, ambitious embrace of full-disclosure opened a door to what was possible for women.” - The Atlantic “Fiery frankness made her a pioneer.” - Time Out Chicago “Her poetry is one of extremes: lust for happiness, despair for life.” - Hairy Dog Review “Riveting.” - N.H. Public Radio “I Await The Devil’s Coming is a small masterpiece, full of camp and swagger.” - Parul Sehgal, NPR “Pioneering newswoman, later silent-screen star, considered the veritable spirit of the iconoclastic Twenties.” - Boston Globe “A pioneering feminist - a sensation.” - Feminist Bookstore News “First of the self-expressionists, and the first of the Flappers.” - Chicagoan Check www.marymaclane.com for exclusive content, news, and previews.

Human Days: A Mary MacLane Reader

Reproduction of the original: My Friend Annabel Lee by Mary MacLane

My Friend Annabel Lee

Zwei Frauen erzählen einander alles, was sie bewegt: Sie sprechen über Freundschaft und Liebe, über die Schönheit des Alltäglichen, die Einsamkeit und die Anonymität der Großstadt. Doch wer ist Annabel Lee, die Freundin der Ich-Erzählerin, eigentlich? Ist es ihre Geliebte? Oder doch nur eine japanische Porzellanfigur, benannt nach der Heldin des schwermütigen Gedichts von Edgar Allan Poe? Oder handelt es sich am Ende um ein Selbstgespräch? Mary MacLanes Roman lässt all das elegant in der Schwebe. Das literarische Können der Autorin, die 1902 mit ihrem ungestümen Debüt "Ich erwarte die Ankunft des Teufels" für Furore sorgte, zeigt sich hier von einer zarten und melancholischen Tonart. Nachdem MacLanes Werk zwischenzeitlich völlig in Vergessenheit geraten war, wird es seit einigen Jahren wiederentdeckt und in immer mehr Sprachen übersetzt. Die deutsche Erstübersetzung ihres Debüts von Ann Cotten stand 2020 auf Platz 1 der SWR-Bestenliste, der Süddeutschen Zeitung galt sie als "die literarische Wiederentdeckung der Saison", und die NZZ urteilte: "Die Autorin wird schreibend zu ihrem eigenen Kunstwerk."

Roman

Meine Freundin Annabel Lee

"My Friend Annabel Lee" by Mary MacLane. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Mary MacLane

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