The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish
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| Author | James Fenimore Cooper |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish: A Tale[1] |
| Language | English |
| Subject | King Philip's War |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Published | 1829 (UK), 1829 (US) |
| Publisher | Carey, Lea & Carey[2] |
The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish: A Tale is an 1829 historical novel written by American writer James Fenimore Cooper. It was Cooper's ninth novel.
James Fenimore Cooper's The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish: A Tale is a historical novel set during King Philip's War, and was first published on November 6, 1829.[3][4]
With the success of his novel The Red Rover, a London publisher proposed a total of $600 for each of two tales, one an American tale and the other a sea story (The Water Witch).[5] Cooper's work began during his time in Switzerland in 1828.[3] In May 1828, Cooper informed Charles Wilkes that he anticipated printing again, and by August, he had a book that was half completed.[5] The novel was eventually completed in Florence, Italy.[3]
Published first in London, the first American edition of Cooper's novel was published by Carey, Lea & Carey in Philadelphia during the same year. The American rights to the novel were sold for $3,000, payable in four installments from February through May 1830.[5]
The title puzzled the public and did not satisfy them so it was only used in the United States. In England, it was called The Borderers; or, the Wept of Wish-ton-Wish,[6] and in France, it went by The Puritans of America, or the Valley of Wish-ton-Wish. It has also appeared with the title The Heathcotes.[3]
Shortly after its release, the work was adapted for theater in both the United States and England.
The 1830 The Water Witch succeeded the novel.
