Inspired by Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Helen Hunt Jackson wrote Ramona (1884) as a protest novel, hoping to awaken readers to the plight of California’s indigenous peoples. But the legions who made it a bestseller loved it chiefly as a romance. By the 1930s, Ramona had been the subject of four film adaptations, and had inadvertently created southern California’s modern tourism industry. While the novel’s popularity has long since waned, its imagery and themes continue to shape the way we imagine California’s past. Come discuss the novel and its legacy!

Note: If you don’t wish to purchase a copy, or can’t locate one, be aware that Ramona is now in the public domain. The novel can be read and downloaded legally at websites like Project Gutenberg, Hathi Trust, and Google Books.