"DEDICATED TO THE WORKING WOMEN OF AMERICA"

NORRIS, Charles G. Bread. New York: E.P. Dutton, (1923). Octavo, original gilt-stamped russet cloth, original dust jacket. $1200.

First edition of the fourth novel by the influential and often controversial novelist and playwright, brother of novelist Frank Norris, a realistic and sympathetic look at a young woman's struggle to balance her independence, career and marriage in the early 1920s, in original dust jacket.

Charles G. Norris, brother of writer Frank Norris and husband of fellow novelist Kathleen Norris, "shaped the popular fiction of America for over 30 years" through his timely works and his dedication to ensuring the reputation of his brother (New York Times). Bread, his fourth novel, sympathetically looks at "a married woman's struggle in the business world," and is dedicated to "the working women of America." Admired by Sinclair Lewis, it follows his first novel, Amateur (1916), his 1918 novel Salt, whose "indictment of American education provoked a letter of praise from F. Scott Fitzgerald," and Brass, his 1918 novel on divorce. "Norris shares with his brother the ability to tell a good story marked by realism and careful historical research… Apart from his own writing, his involvement in publishing a wide circle of writers attests to his influence on the evolution of American literature" (ANB). First edition with no statement of printings on copyright page. Smith, American Fiction 1901-1925 N-122.

Book fine; slight chipping to spine ends, mild dampstaining to scarce extremely good dust jacket.