Black Oxen

Black Oxen functions as a standalone novel, presenting a complete narrative arc without requiring readers to engage with other works by Gertrude Atherton to understand its plot or characters.

Black Oxen was adapted into a silent film in 1923, released the same year as the novel. The film stars Corinne Griffith as Madame Zattiany.

Gertrude Atherton was inspired to write Black Oxen by the then-novel concept of rejuvenation treatments, particularly the work of Dr. Serge Voronoff, which was a subject of public fascination in the early 20th century.