Herself

Hortense Calisher

1972

Apples. That’s what New Yorkers of the 1930s remember. Apples of the Hesperides, neatly stalled on corner after corner, sold on the last trembling line of decency by men who were unwilling to beg. Sometimes a man had only two. We bought them, our Cézannes-to-be, with the nickel carfare home, and didn’t know it was our education we were bringing…

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Creator Bio

Hortense Calisher

1911–2009
Born and raised in New York City, Hortense Calisher published fifteen novels, numerous short stories, and articles in prominent periodicals. Her work, reflecting on her family’s southern U.S. and German Jewish links, was widely anthologized, and her honors included her presidency of PEN, four O. Henry Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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