People are described as 'Oriental' and 'Asiatic,' and the entire mystery is really just an attempt for Carolyn Keene to describe for impressionable youth the 'exotic' customs of the nation of Japan. This one had the particular distinction of not only being poorly written, but also containing numerous offensively discussed stereotypes about Japan and Japanese-Americans. Re-reading this timeless treasure led me to discover that the Nancy Drew mysteries are not the novels of genius I once thought they were. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf. The role of the writer of 'Carolyn Keene' passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts.

In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.Įdna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. Carolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years.

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