American author Belva Plain (1915-2010), a treasured writer in the realm of women‘s fiction, penned the highly-acclaimed Werner Family Saga series. Her effective storytelling delved into numerous sensitive areas, including dissociative identity disorder, acceptance, child abuse, and babies switched at birth. With her captivating narratives, she had over 30 million copies of her books sold in more than 20 different languages by the time of her passing. It’s worth noting that 21 out of her 27 published novels secured a spot on the New York Times Bestseller List, testament to her storytelling prowess.
Belva Plain: The Journey of a Bestselling Author
Belva Plain’s passion for writing sparked early. She sold her first story in 1940 to Cosmopolitan, marking the start of her writing journey. Throughout the years, she crafted numerous short stories for various magazines, concurrently embracing motherhood. However, it wasn’t until 1978 that she published her first novel, the enchanting Evergreen. It received wide acclaim, spending an impressive 41 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List and was even adapted into a successful TV miniseries. Plain continued to weave magic with her words until the very end. Her final compelling novel, Heartwood, was posthumously published in 2011.
Understanding the Author’s Writing Style
Belva Plain’s unique writing style fosters a deep connection between her readers and her characters. She developed an ability to tackle sensitive and often taboo subjects with grace, understanding, and a profound sense of empathy. Her narratives are carefully structured to unfold at a steady pace, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the depth of her characters’ experiences and dramas.
Belva Plain’s Books in Order
For those looking to journey through Belva Plain’s literary landscape chronologically, here’s a catalog of her books in order, listed according to their first release dates:
Publication Order of Werner Family Saga Books
| Evergreen | (1978) |    |
| The Golden Cup | (1986) | |
| Tapestry | (1988) | |
| Harvest | (1989) | |
| Heartwood | (2010) | |