Showing results by author "William Dean Howells" in All Categories

Experience the enchanting world of Venice through the eyes of William Dean Howells, who served as the American Consul to this iconic city for four years until 1865. While immersed in Venetian culture, Howells penned his observations and reflections, crafting a vivid portrait of the city and its people. This second edition offers an expanded view, enriched with insights for modern tourists. Please note that while Howells expresses admiration for various communities, his use of period language and terms may be jarring to contemporary readers, especially regarding race.

Howells’ best-known work and a subtle classic of its time, The Rise of Silas Lapham is an elegant tale of Boston society and manners. After garnering a fortune in the paint business, Silas Lapham moves his family from their Vermont farm to the city of Boston in order to improve his social position. The consequences of this endeavor are both humorous and tragic as the greedy Silas brings his company to the brink of bankruptcy.

The Big Book of Christmas: Classic Stories and Poems is a grand compilation that assembles a treasure trove of holiday tales and poems from a remarkable array of authors. This extensive collection includes 100 classic works, each thoughtfully illustrated, to immerse readers in the magic and wonder of the Christmas season. This anthology spans a rich tapestry of Christmas literature, including timeless favorites such as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Red Room," "A Letter from Santa Claus," "The Fir Tree," "Song of the Holly," and many more.

Grab yourselves a hot chocolate, a warm blanket and settle down to a collection of entertaining Christmas Stories that will get your little ones in the spirit of Christmas. Each of these traditional tales are the perfect length for listening at quiet time, bedtime and the classroom.

Christmas has arrived! Get comfy and settle down to a collection of cheery Christmas bedtime stories, that will have your child drifting off to a deep slumber to dream about Santa Claus and snow.

Discover the compelling tale of The Rise of Silas Lapham, W.D. Howells’ most celebrated novel and a hallmark of literary realism. This captivating story follows Silas Lapham, a humble farmer who builds a thriving paint business and strives to elevate his familys status in the competitive society of Boston. Unlike the ruthless businessmen of his time, Lapham embodies the principles of the old-fashioned, trustworthy Yankee trader. As he navigates the complexities of industrial capitalism, the novel also delves into the intricacies of social class, portraying the courtship of his daughter and ...

In Hazard of New Fortunes, Howell transports us to the bustling streets of late nineteenth-century New York, a city alive with the essence of Edith Wharton and Henry James. The story follows Basil March, a Boston businessman with a passion for literature, as he relocates with his family to edit a newly founded journal. Their new venture is financially backed by Mr. Dryfoos, a Pennsylvania Dutch farmer turned millionaire after striking natural gas on his land. Now navigating the opulent lifestyle of New York, Dryfoos grapples with the perils of his newfound wealth. But is it his fortune that ...

In Coast of Bohemia, William Dean Howells masterfully critiques bourgeois values through the compelling story of Cornelia Saunders. With her life seemingly perfect—filled with comfort, beauty, and the attention of charming young men—Cornelia is torn between the allure of respectable society and the enticing yet dubious world of bohemian Art and Poetry. As she hesitantly prepares to step into Bohemia, she risks everything for what could be her artistic Gift. True to his iconoclastic style, Howells keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering until the very end about Cornelia’s fate...

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Florences Anglo-American colony in the late 19th century, this enchanting romantic tale follows a middle-aged man as he returns to the site of his first unrequited love, two decades later. While the lives of Americans abroad were often depicted in the works of Henry James and Edith Wharton, Howells offers a unique perspective. As John Updike aptly noted, “the felicity of the writing makes us pause in admiration…. A midlife crisis has rarely been captured in fiction with such humor, gentle comedy, and a gracious acceptance of lifes irrevocability.” ...

Join the charming world of William Dean Howells as he narrates five enchanting stories for children, featuring the beloved characters the papa, the girl, and the boy. Known as The Dean of American Letters, Howells was a prominent American realist author and literary critic. His works, including the delightful Christmas tale Christmas Every Day and the acclaimed novel The Rise of Silas Lapham, continue to captivate readers. (Reader’s Note for story 3 A pony engine is a small locomotive used for switching cars between tracks.) (Summary by Wikipedia and David Wales)

Enchanting, tragic, and hilarious fairy tales for adults and children grace these pages. An initial glance might lead you to assume that these are satirical versions of classic Christmas ghost stories. However, beneath the humorous stories involving ghosts, repentant sinners, miracles, and good peasants who find well-deserved happiness, lies a psychological undercurrent that sharpens the sense of intrigue and plot movement. Often this is aided by the unrelenting social exposure of the authors who always understood how intangible the "bourgeois paradise" truly was.

After spending 11 years in the captivating city of Rome, Annie Kilburn returns to the United States following her fathers passing. Upon her return, she discovers that the home she once knew has transformed in profound ways. As she begins working with sick children, she finds herself forming deep connections with them and with the compassionate minister, Mr. Peck, who supports her journey. (Summary by Stav Nisser)

With touches of humor, pathos, and romance, author William Dean Howells questions the nature of the spiritual and leaves the answers to the listener in this unusual collection of ghost stories from the 19th century. A famed proponent of literary realism, Howells focuses not on the supernatural elements of ghostly encounters, but on the psychological responses of his characters.

American writer William Dean Howells delights us with his cautiously cynical yet endearing telling of the night before Christmas at the Fountain household. Published in The Daughter of the Storage and Other Things in Prose and Verse in 1916, Howells’ sense of realism and social criticism hides behind the humorous banter between Mr. and Mrs. Fountain, as well as relatives passing by. Raging consumerism, New Year’s resolutions, lovingly marital insults, reflections and memories, and a whole bunch of bathrobes!

This classic short story from William Dean Howells finds a brother and sister fairly demanding their papa to tell them a story. As a long-standing storyteller, papa is reluctant to dream up something new. The demands of children often mean that a parent will do things they never thought they would, if only to salvage their own sanity. A memorable tale for all ages. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

Papa was a great storyteller, and his daughter wouldn’t settle for recycled tales. While Papa was not interested in telling stories he was badgered enough to come up with a whopper. Prepare to smile, and to wonder what it would really be like if it were Christmas every day - at least the way we often celebrate it.

Editha is a young and very patriotic young landy. Her lover, George, is not quite as enthused about her "my country right or wrong attitude," but she convinces him to join the army to fight a "just" war. The results of this decision are very unexpected and very thought provoking. This is a very powerful story and is more the type of writing one would expect from the Vietnam War era, rather than the end of the Victorian era.

William Dean Howells was born in Martin's Ferry, Ohio, of Welch, Irish, and German forebears. Along with Mark Twain, he was one of the great novelists of his time. This book, the realisic saga of the rise and redemptive fall of an American tycoon, is considered to be his best novel.

Set in the early 1890s at a chic summer resort on the East Coast of the United States, Traveller from Altruria unfolds the intriguing tale of Mr. Twelvemough, an author chosen to host a remarkable visitor from the distant island of Altruria. Mr. Homos arrives in America, eager to witness firsthand the nations celebrated ideals of democracy and equality. However, as he interacts with Twelvemough and his circle of acquaintances—each equally curious about Altruria—an unexpected revelation emerges the United States is significantly trailing behind Altruria in nearly every aspect of life, from ...

Join us for a delightful romp through a charming tea party hosted by the endearing Mrs. Amy Somers, a widow surrounded by love and laughter. In this whimsical romantic comedy, Mr. Willis Campbell, a sweet-natured suitor, brings joy and a touch of mischief as he vies for her affection amidst a cast of quirky characters. With twelve short scenes that capture the essence of romance and humor, this story is sure to warm your heart. (Summary by Ruth Golding)