Ramona (1884) is an American novel written by Helen Hunt Jackson. Set in Southern California after the Mexican–American War and annexation of the territory by the United States, it explores the life of a mixed-race Scottish–Native American orphan girl. The story was inspired by the marriage of Hugo Reid and Victoria Reid.[1]
Originally serialized weekly in the Christian Union,[2] the novel became immensely popular. It has had more than 300 printings,[3] and has been adapted five times[4] as a film. A play adaptation has been performed annually outdoors since 1923.[4]
The novel's influence on the culture and image of Southern California was considerable. Its sentimental portrayal of Spanish and Mexican elite colonial life contributed to establishing a unique cultural identity for the region. As its publication coincided with the arrival of railroad lines in the region, tourists used trains to visit sites thought to be associated with the novel.
