The Sea-Gull Cry

It’s post World War II, and nineteen-year-old LOUISA and her younger brother JERI have fled from Eastern Europe after their parents were killed. They now live in an old boat, beached on Cape Cod, thanks to the generosity of a local couple, the BAGHOTS. A frustrated local college professor RICHARD SMITH purchases a boat to escape his lonely and unfulfilled life. He, instead, crashes it onto the beach not far from Louisa and Jeri. Romantic feelings between Richard and Louisa begin to develop even though neither one thinks the other is interested. Meanwhile, Jeri begins a tentative romance with MEGAN, the niece of the Baghots. Robert Nathan crafts a tender and touching tale of the rapture and innocence that come with the discovery of first love.


About the Author:


Author of such revered books as PORTRAIT OF JENNIE, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, MR. WHITTLE AND THE MORNING STAR, and STONECLIFF, Robert Nathan was born in New York City in 1894 and was educated at private schools in the United States and Switzerland. While attending Harvard University where he was a classmate with E.E. Cummings, Nathan was an editor of the Harvard Monthly, in which his first stories and poems appeared.


While at Cambridge, Nathan also found the time to become an accomplished cellist, a lightweight boxer, and Captain of the fencing team. After leaving college, Mr. Nathan devoted his time exclusively to writing until his passing in 1985. Early on, Nathan’s work strengthened his reputation with both the public and peers. F. Scott Fitzgerald once referred to Robert Nathan as his favorite writer. During this period, the legendary Louis B. Mayer contracted him to Hollywood to become a screenwriter. Nathan ultimately didn’t enjoy the experience, though the movie industry continually craved his work. Five of his novels have been made into films.

 

The aforementioned “Portrait of Jennie” and “The Bishop’s Wife,” as well as “One More Spring,” “Wake Up and Dream” (from the novel “The Enchanted Voyage”) and “Color of Evening.” Robert Nathan was the author of over fifty volumes of novels, poetry, and plays, and from this body of distinguished work he acquired a reputation as a master of satiric fantasy unique in American Letters. In the twilight of his career he was known as “The Dean of Author’s,” since many prominent writers including Irving Stone and Irving Wallace sought out Nathan’s guidance. A member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters for fifty years, Mr. Nathan called both Cape Cod and California home. Happily, his last fifteen years were spent in the companionship of his wife, English born actress, Anna Lee.