ZELDA DAMERON BY MEREDITH NICHOLSON The Adventures of Zelda Dameron: Illustrated, by Meredith Nicholson. The struggle of a daughter to be loyal to an ignoble parent forms the basis of this novel. The author spoils an otherwise fine heroine by making her too eccentric and too rude. A note common to many books is apparent; the attitude toward lying seems to be that it is good or evil according to motive or end. In Ezra Dameron, pious miser, and Rodney Merriam, gentleman, the character-drawing is quite strong and clear. ZELDA DAMERON BY MEREDITH NICHOLSON

Meredith Nicholson's second novel "Zelda Dameron" was centered around the view of the state of Indianapolis through the eyes of the upper class. It features a story set in motion before the advent of the automobile. This story is respected for its social relevance in the romantic genre with a touch of mystery.

The Adventures of Zelda Dameron: Illustrated, by Meredith Nicholson. The struggle of a daughter to be loyal to an ignoble parent forms the basis of this novel. The author spoils an otherwise fine heroine by making her too eccentric and too rude. A note common to many books is apparent; the attitude toward lying seems to be that it is good or evil according to motive or end. In Ezra Dameron, pious miser, and Rodney Merriam, gentleman, the character-drawing is quite strong and clear.

Meredith Nicholson stands as the most Hoosier of all Indiana writers, serving as an outspoken advocate for his state. Indiana literary historian Arthur S. Shumaker called Nicholson the “most rabid” of Indiana’s major authors. In addition to writing such national best-sellers as Zelda Dameron and The House of a Thousand Candles, his best-known work, Nicholson won praise as an insightful essayist, with his work published in such national magazines as the Saturday Evening Post and Atlantic Monthly. "His inherent belief in democracy and democratic values, and his unapologetic patriotism permeate his essays," notes Gray, "some of which excoriated the Ku Klux Klan and upheld the rights and virtues of women, attitudes not always popular at the time."

General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1904 Original Publisher: Grosse