The Crystal Cup

"The Crystal Cup" by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Gita Carteret, a young woman who is struggling with her identity and her complex family legacy as she deals with the dynamics between herself and her elderly grandmother, Mrs. Carteret. Their relationship is marked by the contrasting views of tradition and modernity, particularly around gender roles and expectations. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Gita and her grandmother during a tense conversation in the old Carteret Manor. Gita is portrayed as a modern young woman who resents the constraints of femininity and displays a rebellious attitude towards the traditional expectations of women. Mrs. Carteret, in contrast, embodies the old world, asserting values that Gita rejects. The opening chapters set the stage for exploration of themes such as generational conflict, personal freedom, and the weight of family history, while also hinting at moments of connection and understanding that arise despite their differences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton was an American writer. Many of her novels are set in her home state of California. Her bestselling novel Black Oxen (1923) was made into a silent movie of the same name. In addition to novels, she wrote short stories, essays, and articles for magazines and newspapers on such issues as feminism, politics, and war.