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

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.

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)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the wake of the Civil War, William Dean Howells dedicated 15 years to shaping the literary landscape as Assistant Editor and then Editor of the esteemed Atlantic Magazine. Renowned as a prolific novelist, he published Years of My Youth in 1916, offering a poignant reflection on his early years in Ohio. This evocative memoir spans his earliest memories through his twenties, right at the onset of the Civil War. With rich detail, Howells paints a vivid picture of the culture and pressing issues of the 1840s and 1850s in the American Midwest, inviting readers to journey through his formative ...

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) forged a deep friendship with Mark Twain beginning in 1869, when Twain entered The Atlantic Monthlys Boston office to express his gratitude for Howells positive review of *Innocents Abroad*. As Howells later assumed the role of editor, The Atlantic Monthly became a pivotal platform for many of Twains works, including his acclaimed non-fiction piece, *Life on the Mississippi*. In *My Mark Twain*, Howells shares a captivating literary memoir filled with remarkable anecdotes, including their encounters with former President Ulysses Grant, who was then crafting his...

The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express - a wonderful Christmas Story for Children. It was published in Howell's collection, Christmas Every Day and Other Stories Told for Children (1892). 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.

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.

Indian Summer is a reflective and emotionally rich novel about an aging journalist who revisits Florence, Italy, where he rekindles old friendships and finds himself caught in a love triangle. A meditation on love, second chances, and the passage of time.

Before you is a timeless classic that will never cease to warm your heart and fill the long winter evenings with anticipated wonders and merry celebrations. This collection of Christmas stories by famous authors is the best gift for the holidays. These festive stories range from touching and magical to funny and sad. They include the best classic works of literature; whose themes involve the nativity and the magic of Christmas. Prepare yourself to experience true holiday magic and create new Christmas traditions as you read through these classics year after year.

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.

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.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have Christmas everyday? Well, one little girl did and it did not turn out as she expected…