I was in the library yesterday checking out Mansfield Park for the second time. I only got halfway through last time, and it was months ago, so I'm starting over. On my way out, I noticed the display in the entryway that gets rotated every couple of weeks or so. It was chock-full of fifties romances for the 'young modern'. Romances for those women inspired by Rosie the Riveter to work outside the home, delving into all manner of womanly professions.
My favorite title was Sue Takes Up Psychotherapy, but there were all sorts of respectable professions represented: teaching, copy-editing, catering, advertising. I actually giggled, pouring as I was over the titles and pictures on the covers of these old-fashioned romances. And as soon as I got to my car, I jotted down a few notes so as not to forget this curious little experience.
When I got home, I Googled 'young moderns' and actually hit on a woman who blogs about them, reviewing the ones in her own collection: Career Romances for Young Moderns. She has this to say about them:
'...because these were career romances, the books usually ended when the women gleefully give up their career for a man. The books paint a hilarious picture of a business world that's thankfully out-of-date. They're a little hard to come by today, but can be found in used bookstores and online.'
I'd actually like to get my hands on one of these, just to see.
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5 comments:
How interesting! Who would have thought? Amazing how our world had grown and how we had to get where we are. Take care and peace - L
What a find! I'd love to read one, too. I bet you can find them at Abe Books (http://www.abebooks.com).
I will be laughing about Sue Takes Up Psychotherapy all day
Sue Takes Up Psychotherapy, that's awesome!! Hahaha! I love it! It's like...a hobby, like taking up knitting. Guess it wasn't too hard for her to give it up again at the end of the book, when it was time to marry her hero. :)
I'd love to get my hands on a few of those, too. "because these were career romances, the books usually ended when the women gleefully give up their career for a man."
... yes, isn't that why we women take jobs? to find the perfect mate? (hmmm, I guess working from home limits the playing field... although that UPS man is pretty tasty.)
I think it would be fun to use the book for cut-up poetry.
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