Sappho Clark—beautiful, mysterious, Southern—arrives in Boston to earn her living as a stenographer. She lodges with the Smith family and immediately becomes a source of fascination to the them: Ma Smith is impressed by Sappho’s financial independence; Dora Smith admires Sappho’s quiet self-possession; and Will Smith, Dora’s brother, falls madly in love with Sappho. But as Sappho enters the Smiths’ community, it becomes clear that her beauty is a lure to bad actors, including someone who entertains dark suspicions about her past. . .   A murder mystery, the story of a friendship, and a romance set in Boston’s thriving, politically active middle-class Black community, Contending Forces is an unjustly forgotten American classic.    

Talma Gordon (1900) is a short story by Pauline E. Hopkins. Recognized as the first African American mystery story, Talma Gordon was originally published in the October 1900 edition of The Colored American Magazine, America's first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture. Combining themes of racial identity and passing with a locked room mystery plot, Hopkins weaves a masterful tale of conspiracy, suspicion, and murder. "When the trial was called Jeannette sat beside Talma in the prisoner's dock; both were arrayed in deepest mourning, Talma was pale and careworn, but seemed uplifted, spiritualized, as it were. [...] She had changed much too: hollow cheeks, tottering steps, eyes blazing with fever, all suggestive of rapid and premature decay." When Puritan descendant Jonathan Gordon is discovered murdered under suspicious circumstances, the ensuing trial implicates his own daughter Talma. Despite being declared innocent, the townsfolk are determined to believe that Talma conspired to have her father killed after he discovered her mixed racial heritage. Freed from the prospect of imprisonment, Talma is left with only her sister's protection against the anger and violence of her neighbors. With this thrilling tale of murder and racial tension, Hopkins proves herself as a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline E. Hopkins' Talma Gordon is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice (1901-1902) is a novel by African American author Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins. Originally published in The Colored American Magazine, America's first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture, Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice is a groundbreaking novel. Addressing themes of race and slavery through the lens of romance, Hopkins' novel is thought to be the first detective novel written by an African American author. Set just before the outbreak of the American Civil War, Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice takes place on the outskirts of Baltimore where, on neighboring estates, a man and woman fall in love. When Hagar Sargeant returns home after four years of study at a seminary in the North, she meets Ellis Enson, an older gentleman and self-made man who resides at the stately Enson Hall. After a brief courtship, the pair are engaged to be married. As the wedding approaches, Hagar's mother-who has controlled the family estate since her husband's death-dies unexpectedly, leaving Hagar the home and its accompanying grounds. Despite this tragic loss, Ellis and Hagar look forward to starting a family together-but when a man from the deep south arrives claiming the young woman was born a slave, their lives are changed forever. Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice is a thrilling work of romance and detective fiction from a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins' Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest (19902-1903) is a novel by African American author Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins. Originally published in The Colored American Magazine, America's first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture, Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a groundbreaking novel that addresses themes of race and colonization from the perspective of a young girl of mixed descent. As white settlers moved westward across North America, they not only displaced the indigenous population, but brought into contact peoples from opposite ends of Earth. On an island in the middle of Lake Erie, White Eagle-recently displaced after the dissolution of the Buffalo Creek reservation-has built a home for himself and his African American wife. Adopting her son Judah, White Eagle establishes a life for his family apart from the prejudices and violence of American life. A daughter, Winona, is born soon after, and grows to be proud of her rich cultural heritage. When two white hunters stumble upon the island, however, and when White Eagle is soon found dead, his family is left to the mercy of an uncaring, hostile nation. Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a heartbreaking work of historical fiction from a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins' Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Essential Pauline E. Hopkins (2021) compiles several iconic works of fiction by a pioneering figure in American literature. Contending Forces was Hopkins' first major publication as a leading African American author of the early twentieth century. Originally published in The Colored American Magazine, America's first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture, Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest is a groundbreaking novel that addresses themes of race and colonization from the perspective of a young girl of mixed descent. Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice is thought to be the first detective novel written by an African American author. Also included in this collection is "Talma Gordon," an influential short story, and Of One Blood, Hopkins' final novel. Winona: A Tale of Negro Life in the South and Southwest opens on an island in the middle of Lake Erie, where White Eagle-recently displaced after the dissolution of the Buffalo Creek reservation-has built a home for himself and his African American wife. Adopting her son Judah, White Eagle establishes a life for his family apart from the prejudices and violence of American life. Their daughter Winona grows to be proud of her rich cultural heritage. Set just before the outbreak of the American Civil War, Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice takes place on the outskirts of Baltimore. When Hagar Sargeant returns home after four years of study at a seminary in the North, she meets Ellis Enson, an older gentleman and self-made man who resides at the stately Enson Hall. After a brief courtship, the pair are engaged to be married. As the wedding approaches, Hagar's mother dies unexpectedly, leaving Hagar the family estate. When a man from the deep south arrives claiming the young woman was born a slave, their lives are changed forever. Contending Forces is the story of Charles Montfort, a planter from Bermuda who moves with his family and slaves to North Carolina. There, he plans to free his slaves, drawing condemnation from his neighbors and risking violent retaliation. When a rumor spreads regarding his wife's ancestry, Montfort suspects Anson Pollack, a former friend, of planning to dispossess him. In these wide-ranging tales of race, class, and social convention, Hopkins proves herself as a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Essential Pauline E. Hopkins is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Of One Blood (1902-1903) is a novel by Pauline E. Hopkins. Recognized as one of the earliest works of science fiction by an African American writer, Of One Blood was originally published in The Colored American Magazine, America's first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture. Combining themes of racial identity and passing within a genre-blending narrative of Gothic horror and the occult, Hopkins weaves a masterful tale of conspiracy, a lost African kingdom, and murder. Struggling with the mental and financial pressures of medical school, Reuel Briggs-a Black man who passes as white-decides to take a night off in order to attend a local concert. There, he sees the singer Dianthe Lusk, a beautiful woman who possess a mysterious aura. The next day, Reuel is called to assist at the scene of a train accident. There, he chances upon Dianthe, who has sustained a blow to the head. Using an experimental form of mesmerism, Reuel brings her back to life, but she seems to be suffering from near total amnesia. After nursing her back to health with the help of his best friend Aubrey, Reuel finds her a place to stay in Boston. Hoping to marry her, he offers to embark on an archaeological expedition organized by Aubrey, who claims to have discovered a lost Ethiopian kingdom. As the story unfolds, redemption turns to betrayal, best friends become sworn enemies, and a secret from the distant past threatens to change Reuel's life forever. With this thrilling tale of race, adventure, and mystery, Hopkins proves herself as a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline E. Hopkins' Of One Blood is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Of One Blood (1902-1903) is a novel by Pauline E. Hopkins. Recognized as one of the earliest works of science fiction by an African American writer, Of One Blood was originally published in The Colored American Magazine, America’s first monthly periodical covering African American arts and culture. Combining themes of racial identity and passing within a genre-blending narrative of Gothic horror and the occult, Hopkins weaves a masterful tale of conspiracy, a lost African kingdom, and murder. Struggling with the mental and financial pressures of medical school, Reuel Briggs—a Black man who passes as white—decides to take a night off in order to attend a local concert. There, he sees the singer Dianthe Lusk, a beautiful woman who possess a mysterious aura. The next day, Reuel is called to assist at the scene of a train accident. There, he chances upon Dianthe, who has sustained a blow to the head. Using an experimental form of mesmerism, Reuel brings her back to life, but she seems to be suffering from near total amnesia. After nursing her back to health with the help of his best friend Aubrey, Reuel finds her a place to stay in Boston. Hoping to marry her, he offers to embark on an archaeological expedition organized by Aubrey, who claims to have discovered a lost Ethiopian kingdom. As the story unfolds, redemption turns to betrayal, best friends become sworn enemies, and a secret from the distant past threatens to change Reuel’s life forever. With this thrilling tale of race, adventure, and mystery, Hopkins proves herself as a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline E. Hopkins’ Of One Blood is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Contending Forces (1900) is a novel by African American author Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins. Originally published by the Colored Co-operative Publishing Company in Boston, Contending Forces is a groundbreaking novel that addresses themes of race and slavery through the lens of romance, faith, and betrayal. It was Hopkins’ first major publication as a leading African American author of the early twentieth century. Charles Montfort is a peculiar planter. Moving with his wife, Grace, and his sons from Bermuda to North Carolina, he announces his desire to slowly free his slaves. This angers the townspeople, who refuse to recognize the abilities of black people beyond base servitude. Anson Pollack, a jealous man, leverages his friendship with Montfort in order to gain his confidence while hatching a plan to kill him and steal his property. When a rumor regarding Grace’s racial heritage begins to spread, Montfort fears that an attempt will be made on his life. Soon enough, Anson and a posse of local men descend on the Montfort plantation, killing Charles and kidnapping his sons. While Jesse manages to escape to Boston, Charles Jr. is sold into slavery, changing their lives irrevocably. Contending Forces is a thrilling work of fiction from a true pioneer of American literature, a woman whose talent and principles afforded her the vision necessary for illuminating the injustices of life in a nation founded on slavery and genocide. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins’ Contending Forces is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Published in 1900, this is Hopkins's best-known novel, and her only fiction to be published in book form in her lifetime. Like her magazine fiction, it employs the conventions of the sentimental novel with the goal of effecting social change. A uniquely detailed examination of black life, and a richly textured piece of fiction, it is one of the most important works produced by an Afro-American before the First World War.

The Colored American Magazine, first published in 1900, was a pioneering forum for black literary talent. Pauline Hopkins was not only a prolific contributor, but one of its powerful editorial forces. These stories reveal her commitment to fiction as a vehicle for social change, weaving themes such as white oppression, the heroism of black women, and the need for organized resistance to persecution, into the narrative formulas of popular fiction.