The Doctor -- inscribed to her editor at Good Housekeeping that published the serial version of this
New York: Farrar and Rinehart, 1936. First Printing. Hardcover. Cloth in dust jacket. Book very good, jacket fair with front flap split from front panel, general edgewear, chipping to rear panel and top of spine, yellowing, etc. Inscribed to Arthur McKeogh, "Whose abiding faith in this book from its inception surely entitles him not only to this first copy off the press, but to the gratitude and very real affection of its author. Mary Roberts Rinehart, May 25, 1936." McKeogh, a senior editor at "Good Housekeeping" first met Rinehart when he was sent to work with her on the serialization of her autobiography, "My Story," during which time the two became friendly with each other; McKeogh was a very hands-on editor who had no problem getting Rinehart to rewrite sections. The $75,000 Good Housekeeping paid for the serialization of "The Doctor" was the most Rinehart was ever paid for a serial. McKeogh and his boss, William Bigelow, had reservations about "The Doctor," however. As Cohn writes in "Improbable Fiction," "The issue was Katie. Never before had Rinehart so carefully and realistically developed the psychology of a “bad” character. Nor had she ever placed one so fully center stage. McKeogh’s job was to transmit to Rinehart Bigelow’s criticism, his distinct uneasiness about this bad woman, but the issue eventually grew significant enough for Bigelow himself to write, arguing that Katie “had in her great possibilities for development in a fine womanly way. ... I feel that any person who develops strongly in wickedness — I mean who is adept at being bad — could have developed just as strongly in the other direction.” Trying another tack, he argued that Chris looked weak in regard to Katie, for he demonstrated a lack of ability to take Katie and make a real woman of her. Mary stuck to her guns and the Good Housekeeping staff capitulated: “You have chosen not to develop her in that way, and I do not propose to quarrel with you." As fine an association copy as can be found of this novel. Very good / fair. Item #H30467
Price: $250.00