Other editions of book Stella Maris

William John Locke was a novelist and playwright. Five times Locke's books made the list of best-selling novels in the United States for the year. His works have been made into 24 motion pictures the most recent of which was Ladies in Lavender, filmed in 2004 and starring Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Adapted to the screen by Charles Dance, it was based on Locke's 1916 short story of the same title that had been published in a collection entitled "Faraway Stories." Probably the most famous of Locke's books adapted to the screen was the 1918 Pickford Film Corporation production of Stella Maris starring Mary Pickford.

That was not her real name. No one could have christened an inoffensive babe so absurdly. Her mother had, indeed, through the agency of godfathers and godmothers, called her Stella after a rich old maiden aunt, thereby showing her wisdom; for the maiden aunt died gratefully a year after the child was born, and bequeathed to her a comfortable fortune. Her father had given her the respectable patronymic of Blount, which, as all the world knows, or ought to know, is not pronounced as it is spelled.It is not pronounced "Maris," however, as, in view of the many vagaries of British nomenclature, it might very well be, but "Blunt." It was Walter Herold, the fantastic, who tacked on the Maris to her Christian name, and ran the two words together so that to all and sundry the poor child became Stellamaris, and to herself a baptismal puzzle, never being quite certain whether Stella was not a pert diminutive, and whether she ought to subscribe herself in formal documents as "Stellamaris Blount."

That was not her real name. No one could have christened an inoffensive babe so absurdly. Her mother had, indeed, through the agency of godfathers and godmothers, called her Stella after a rich old maiden aunt, thereby showing her wisdom; for the maiden aunt died gratefully a year after the child was born, and bequeathed to her a comfortable fortune. Her father had given her the respectable patronymic of Blount, which, as all the world knows, or ought to know, is not pronounced as it is spelled.It is not pronounced “Maris,” however, as, in view of the many vagaries of British nomenclature, it might very well be, but “Blunt.” It was Walter Herold, the fantastic, who tacked on the Maris to her Christian name, and ran the two words together so that to all and sundry the poor child became Stellamaris, and to herself a baptismal puzzle, never being quite certain whether Stella was not a pert diminutive, and whether she ought to subscribe herself in formal documents as “Stellamaris Blount.”The invention of this title must not be regarded as the supreme effort of the imagination of Walter Herold. It would have been obvious to anybody with a bowing acquaintance with the Latin tongue.Her name was Stella, and she passed her life by the sea—passed it away up on top of a cliff on the South coast; passed it in one big, beautiful room that had big windows south and west; passed it in bed, flat on her back, with never an outlook on the outside world save sea and sky. And the curtains of the room were never drawn, and in the darkness a lamp always shone in the western window; so that Walter Herold, at the foot of the cliff, one night of storm and dashing spray, seeing the light burning steadily like a star, may be excused for a bit of confusion of thought when he gripped his friend John Risca’s arm with one hand and, pointing with the other, cried:“Stella Maris! What a name for her!”

Five times Locke's books made the list of bestselling novels in the United States for the year as determined by the New York Times. Probably the most famous of Locke's books adapted to the screen was the 1918 Pickford Film Corporation production of Stella Maris starring Mary Pickford. In addition, four of his books were made into Broadway plays, two of which Locke wrote and were produced by Charles Frohman. Poor Stella Maris. She’s a rich crippled girl who lives her life under the generous protection of her wealthy aunt and uncle. They keep her propped up in bed in luxurious surroundings, shielding her from all the evils of the world. She is an angelic creature, exalted by everyone around her. The sign on her door reads: "All unhappiness and world wisdom leave outside. Those without smiles need not enter." In fact, she doesn’t even know there are poor people or hunger or war in the world until after she is miraculously cured of her handicap and can walk. But life is quite different for simple-minded Unity Blake. She is a young woman who has lived in an orphanage all her life, only to be adopted by an evil alcoholic, Louisa Risca, who just wants to use her as a servant. Louisa’s unhappy husband, John Risca, loves the saintly Stella, but feels a responsibility toward Unity when his wife nearly beats the girl to death for not bringing home the groceries. While Unity lovingly takes care of John when he moves in with his fussy aunt, Stella is shattered when she learns that he is already married to the wicked Louisa. Unity’s story is that of a poor waif-like creature trying to make a way in this world against all obstacles. She is a mental cripple who triumphs over hardships Stella has never had to face. And in the end, Unity performs the greatest sacrifice for the love she has never known. Press Opinions: Daily Telegraph - " Stella Maris ' is a work of irresistible appeal." Daily News - " There is no doubt of the triumphant success of this very interesting piece of work." Daily Citizen - " Written with a rare tenderness and delicacy, ' Stella Maris ' is a fine novel. It is nobly conceived and well executed." Sunday Times - " Never has the novelist had a happier inspiration." Daily Graphic - " Mr. Locke has never written any story which will command a larger or more sympathetic audience." Pall Mall Gazette - "' No author could set a higher test to his psychology or his dramatic art than a situation so genuinely poignant, so elemental and so sharply defined. To watch Mr. Locke's skilful development is to arrive at a higher admiration of his powers than his many proofs of insight and dexterity have yet inspired." Bookseller - " His greatest piece of work. It can hardly fail to take its place as the one outstanding novel of the present season." Evening Standard - " The story is told with all Mr. Locke's narrative art. It holds one bound in its pleasant spells. There is a charm and beauty everywhere." Scotsman - Mr. Locke possesses in a remarkable degree the gift of rising adequately to his greatest scenes. The story requires delicate handling, but the artist's instinct in Mr. Locke never fails him. * Stella ' is a wonderful character." Bookman - " Mr. Locke has lavished upon it all the wealth of his charming fancy." Liverpool Courier - '" Stella' is unique, fascinating a creation of wonderful charm and magnetism." No illustrations are included in this Kindle version. Be sure to look for more novels by Mr. Locke.

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