The Turquoise (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Turquoise is a novel, written by the American
author Anya Seton
which was first published in 1946.
It is a fictional story of the life of Fey Cameron set against an historical background of the United States and New York
society in the mid 19th century.
The book focuses on Fey Cameron, from her humble childhood in New Mexico
, through to her high society life in New York, and her eventual return to her roots.
, Fey convinces herself they are in love. Not disagreeable (for the time being), Terry enlists Richens Lacey Wootton
to marry them at Raton Pass
. Continuing east selling Terry's questionable medicine and utilizing several of Fey's talents to earn extra money, upon reaching Leavenworth, Kansas
, they are able to raise train fares to New York.
Fey and Terry arrive in New York City without any prospects and are soon forced to use up their small savings for food and board. Not surprisingly, Terry abandons Fey for greener pastures before long. Discovering she is pregnant, Fey seeks assistance at a local infirmary for women and makes arrangements to live there in exchange for helping out with the work. After her daughter Lucita is born, Fey sets her eyes on New York tycoon Simeon Tower as a means of securing her financial future and successfully wins her way into his heart.
After securing a discreet divorce for Fey, she and Simeon marry and achieve happiness. They endeavor to increase not only their fortune but their social standing over the years, but the year 1877 would be their downfall. Simeon not only finds himself close to losing nearly everything financially, but Terry Dillon reemerges to disrupt their lives. Terry's attempts to woo Fey and blackmail Simeon result in tragedy. Bankrupt and a social pariah, Fey eventually brings an ailing Simeon back to the simple life in New Mexico to live out their days.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author Anya Seton
Anya Seton
Anya Seton was the pen name of Ann Seton, an American author of historical romances.-Biography:...
which was first published in 1946.
It is a fictional story of the life of Fey Cameron set against an historical background of the United States and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
society in the mid 19th century.
The book focuses on Fey Cameron, from her humble childhood in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, through to her high society life in New York, and her eventual return to her roots.
Plot summary
Born in 1850 of a Spanish mother and a Scotsman in New Mexico, and orphaned at a young age in the town for whom she was named, Santa Fe (Fey) Cameron is taken in and raised by dutiful but apathetic neighbors. As a teenager, she takes the opportunity to leave town with Terry Dillon, a traveling salesman. As they slowly make their way up the Santa Fe TrailSanta Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880...
, Fey convinces herself they are in love. Not disagreeable (for the time being), Terry enlists Richens Lacey Wootton
Richens Lacey Wootton
Richens Lacy Wootton , often referred to as "Uncle Dick" Wooton, was an American frontiersman born in Virginia, but lived most of his life in Colorado....
to marry them at Raton Pass
Raton Pass
Raton Pass is a mountain pass on the Santa Fe Trail along the Colorado-New Mexico border in the United States. Raton Pass is a federally designated National Historic Landmark...
. Continuing east selling Terry's questionable medicine and utilizing several of Fey's talents to earn extra money, upon reaching Leavenworth, Kansas
Leavenworth, Kansas
Leavenworth is the largest city and county seat of Leavenworth County, in the U.S. state of Kansas and within the Kansas City, Missouri Metropolitan Area. Located in the northeast portion of the state, it is on the west bank of the Missouri River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
, they are able to raise train fares to New York.
Fey and Terry arrive in New York City without any prospects and are soon forced to use up their small savings for food and board. Not surprisingly, Terry abandons Fey for greener pastures before long. Discovering she is pregnant, Fey seeks assistance at a local infirmary for women and makes arrangements to live there in exchange for helping out with the work. After her daughter Lucita is born, Fey sets her eyes on New York tycoon Simeon Tower as a means of securing her financial future and successfully wins her way into his heart.
After securing a discreet divorce for Fey, she and Simeon marry and achieve happiness. They endeavor to increase not only their fortune but their social standing over the years, but the year 1877 would be their downfall. Simeon not only finds himself close to losing nearly everything financially, but Terry Dillon reemerges to disrupt their lives. Terry's attempts to woo Fey and blackmail Simeon result in tragedy. Bankrupt and a social pariah, Fey eventually brings an ailing Simeon back to the simple life in New Mexico to live out their days.