O Rare Amanda!: The Life of Amanda McKittrick Ros

A BIOGRAPHY FROM ONE WHO KNEW THE LADY PERSONALLY. Illustrated with photos. FROM THE "PUBLISHERS, BRING BACK THE WORK OF AMANDA MCKITTRICK ROS" "How to describe Amanda McKitttrick Ros? In her time (1860-1939) she was hailed as the "world's worst writer," celebrated by luminaries such as Aldous Huxley, Mark Twain and C.S. Lewis. In both London and Cambridge, her devotees formed 'Amanda Ros Clubs,' which gathered to read her works aloud. There were contests held at these gatherings to see who could read from her work the longest without breaking into laughter. Her many admirers sent her letters in hopes to receive a reply in her characteristic tortured, circumlocuitous style. A few samples will give only a slight idea of the effect of her prose and poetry. Here is a passage from her first novel, Irene "Leave me now deceptive demon of deluded lurk no more around the vale of vanity, like a vindictive strike the lyre of living deception to the strains of dull deadness, despair and doubt..." And here is one from her second novel, Helen "Ah dear Helen, I feel heart sick of this frivolous frittery fraternity of fragiles flitting round and about Earth's huge plane wearing their mourning livery of religion as a cloud of design tainted with the milk of mockery... Clearly, she had a great love of alliteration. Amanda also disdained using one word when two or more might be eyes were 'piercing orbs,' tears were 'Nature's dewdrops,' and a hand was a 'bony extremity.' Few things were 'white' in her books when they could be called 'snowy' instead. Then again, and in completely contrast to this high-flown language, there was an earthy, almost Rabelasian vigor to her work. She was the queen of the dangling participle..."