In Memoriam – Belva Plain 1915 -2010

Belva Plain, the acclaimed American author of family saga novels, has passed away in her sleep at the age of 95.

Joyce Saricks in NoveList describes Plain’s work as follows:
“When the Family Saga was king of popular fiction, Belva Plain was the reigning queen. Plain dominated best seller lists in the 1980s with her powerful, emotional stories of families and the women who held them together. Although in recent years she has changed her style to reflect contemporary taste, Plain is at her best telling these wholesome, inspirational, heartwarming multi-generational Sagas, set during crucial periods of American history.“

A prolific writer once she got started, having over twenty titles to her credit. She was first published as a novelist at the age of 63.
Plain is quoted in the LA Times in 1978 as saying:
“The thing is, you come to a perspective of life at midway. You see your grandchildren, you remember your grandparents, and there’s a sense of overall family continuance. It’s a very moving experience.”

Plain’s first novel was Evergreen, which was on the NY Times bestsellers list for 41 weeks. It was also made into a popular television mini-series. A sequel, Heartwood is purportedly ready for release in February. Her most recently published novel is Crossroads.

NoveList suggests that Belva Plain’s writing will often appeal to fans of Barbara Bradford Taylor, Barbara Delinsky and Julie Ellis.

Rest in Peace Belva.