Constance Fenimore Woolson Livres

First published in 1886. By the author of "Anne," "Rodman the Keeper," "For the Major," etc.

This novel is a faithful reprint of the original 1882 edition, preserving its historical significance and literary charm. It offers readers a glimpse into the themes and storytelling styles of the time, making it a valuable addition for those interested in classic literature. The book maintains the integrity of the original text, allowing contemporary audiences to experience the narrative as it was first intended.

The story centers on Father Piret, a mysterious figure who has lived in isolation on a small Indian farm for fifty years after serving briefly on an island. His background is intriguing, as he is educated and aristocratic, yet he chooses a life of solitude, occasionally offering services to the local half-breeds. Despite his apparent wealth and refined tastes, the reasons for his seclusion and lack of formal missionary status remain unclear, adding an air of enigma to his character and life choices.

Set against the backdrop of Italy, this collection of stories explores themes of love, loss, and cultural identity through rich character development and vivid descriptions. Constance Fenimore Woolson delves into the lives of her characters, revealing their inner struggles and relationships while capturing the essence of Italian landscapes. The narrative intricately weaves personal experiences with broader social contexts, providing a poignant glimpse into the human condition and the beauty of the Italian setting.

"A landmark of literary recovery: the first major edition of an overlooked genius who in her lifetime was considered 19th-century America's greatest woman writer. In the eyes of her contemporaries, Constance Fenimore Woolson (1840-1894) ranked with George Eliot as one of the two greatest women writers of the English language. She wrote fiction of remarkable intellectual power that outsold those of her male contemporaries Henry James and William Dean Howells. James enshrined memories of his long, complicated friendship with Woolson in The Beast in the Jungle and The Wings of the Dove, and more recently Colm Tobin treated the relationship in his novel The Master. But Woolson's close association with James, and her likely suicide in Venice, have tended to overshadow her own literary accomplishments, pigeonholing her as a martyr to the male literary establishment. This volume, the most comprehensive gathering of Woolson's stories to date, represents the culmination of decades of recovery work done by scholars, and puts the focus back on the work, where it belongs. Set variously in the Great Lakes region, the post-Civil War South, and Europe, Woolson's short stories often concern outsiders of one kind or another-prophets and misfits living in remote landscapes, uneducated coal miners, impoverished spinsters, neglected nuns, a haunted caretaker of the dead, destitute southerners, and female artists driven to extreme behavior as they seek the admiration or approval of established (male) critics or writers. Woolson's minute realism captures both the social texture of her time and the inner emotional lives of these overlooked and marginalized characters. Most of all her writings startle us with their simmering intensity, their sensual descriptions of the environment, and refusal to smooth out the ambiguities and tensions that inevitably result from human efforts to communicate and connect. Her fiction is deeply human, resonating with a power across the centuries that makes them remarkably modern for today's readers."-- Provided by publisher

The novel presents a faithful reprint of the original 1894 edition, preserving the narrative and themes as they were originally intended. It offers readers a glimpse into the historical context and literary style of the time, showcasing the author's unique storytelling and character development. This reissue is ideal for those interested in classic literature and the evolution of narrative forms.

Mentone Cairo and Corfu are cities that are steeped in history. Constance Fenimore Woolson offers detailed accounts of her travels to these locations. This book is an incredible resource for anyone interested in travel writing or the history of these places.

Featuring a collection of classic Italian stories, this book aims to preserve important literary works that are becoming scarce and costly. It presents the original text and artwork in a high-quality format, ensuring clarity and readability. The book has been meticulously reformatted and retyped, avoiding scanned copies to maintain the integrity of the content. This effort is intended to keep these timeless narratives alive for both present and future generations.