Old Maids

'Hannah August's intelligent and humane study illuminates, sometimes uncomfortably, the ways in which our demographics are changing and our attitudes are not. This is public intellection that is curious, rigorous, and highly relevant to our time.' Eleanor Catton In 2013, there were over 66,000 more women between the ages of 25-49 living in New Zealand than there were men. This so-called ‘man drought’ is a hot topic for journalists and academics alike, who comment on how the situation might affect New Zealand women’s chances of finding love. Yet they rarely stop to ask women their own opinions on the matter. In this BWB Text, Hannah August does just that, integrating interview material, statistics and cultural commentary in order to demonstrate why we need to talk differently about the ‘man drought’.

“The Old Maids' Club” is a 1892 novel by British author Israel Zangwill (1864–1926). Wonderfully illustrated throughout and not to be missed by fans and collectors of Zangwill's work. Zangwill was a leading figure in cultural Zionism during the 19th century, as well as close friend of father of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl. In later life, he renounced the seeking of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Other notable works by this author include: “Dreamers of the Ghetto” (1898), “Ghetto Tragedies” (1899), and “Ghetto Comedies” (1907). This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter from “English Humourists of To-Day” by J. A. Hammerton.

Reproduction of the original.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1874.