Kathleen Winsor Part II

In the 20s and 30s, historical novels had become more popular, among women readers. During the Depression, they were an escape from the dullness and hardship of day to day modern life.  Gone with the Wind was probably especially popular because its heroine was unusually feisty and independent.  The book was racist, in many ways, but I think that women readers liked it because Scarlett’s struggle to keep her family home and to survive during a war – was an inspiration to people trying to survive the Depression.

Publishers were interested in Winsor’s lengthy draft of Forever Amber, because they were hoping for a new Gone with the Wind.  However, it needed editing and re writing, and took time to prepare.  But they realised that Winsor had produced a best seller.  It was published in 1944, and was a runaway success.

It was much more “sexy” than the earlier novel, with Amber taking numerous lovers, becoming pregnant by Bruce (who returns to London periodically) while married to another man.   Unlike Scarlett O’Hara, who does work in her own businesses to achieve success, the only job that Amber ever does is acting – which she uses as a way of attracting richer lovers.

Also, the book references abortions and “perversion”, and Amber is often unfaithful to her various husbands.  She seduces Philip, the son of her third husband. This husband is an elderly and impoverished Earl, who has come to dislike her and to be determined that she is not going to cuckold him.  He removes her from London to his country estate.  Bored, Amber starts an affair with Philip, and remarks that “adultery isn’t a crime, but an amusement.” 

This scandalous story aroused plenty of horrified opposition in 1944 America, from the churches and conservative commentators.   It was banned in many states as “pornographic”… Of course this only increased sales, as the public were aware that this was a “naughty” book and fun to read.  Winsor had done a lot of research, and while it was by the standards of the day a raunchy read, she did create a reasonable accurate picture of Restoration London, its court and its impoverished citizens…She wrote in events like the outbreak of Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the intrigues of Court life…

 Winsor’s first marriage broke down, and she then married Artie Shaw, the band leader.  Ironically, he had scolded his previous wife, Ava Gardner, for reading such a “trashy” book as Amber…

 However, her marriage to Shaw didn’t last long, and she ended up marrying her divorce lawyer.  She continued to write, but she never achieved the wild success of Forever Amber again.  Her next novel was based on her experience of becoming a bestselling novelist.  But the public wanted “more Amber”...  and none of her other novels achieved the same massive success. She had peaked too early...

She made a fourth marriage which was happy and lasted till her husband’s death, and went on with her writing…