When the Devil was Well
When the Devil was Well is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that tells the story of a young woman named Marion who becomes involved with a mysterious man named Julian. The book explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption as Marion navigates her way through a complex web of relationships.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1900 · Genre: Fantasy, Satire, Historical Fiction · 2,595 words
First lines
The Devil locked the copper gates of Hell one night, and sauntered down a Spacian pathway. The later arrivals from the planet Earth had been of a distressingly commonplace character to his Majesty -- a gentleman of originality and attainments, whatever his disagreements with the conventions. He was become seriously disturbed about the moral condition of the sensational little twinkler.
What this Textopian page supports
When the Devil was Well is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gertrude Atherton, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gertrude Atherton
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Satire, Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 2,595 words
- Structure: 1 section, 32 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for When the Devil was Well by Gertrude Atherton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering When the Devil was Well?
- How does this short story by Gertrude Atherton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The White Morning by Gertrude Atherton
- Lucretia by Grant Allen
- The Maid by Gilbert Parker
- Pabo The Priest Goronwy by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Woman Of Mystery by Georges Ohnet
- Patience Sparhawk And Her Times by Gertrude Atherton
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves supernatural elements, including the Devil as a character and demons, which are central to the plot.
- Satire — The story uses irony and humor to critique societal and religious norms, particularly through the Devil's perspective.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and references to historical figures and locations, such as California missions, ground the story in a specific historical context.
- Religious Fiction — Themes of faith, temptation, and morality are explored through the interactions between the Devil and the priests.
Tags
historical fiction · American literature · 19th century · California · social issues · women's rights · class struggle · moral dilemmas · family dynamics · romance · betrayal · identity