A Modern Instance

Howells, William Dean

ISBN 10: 0486468879 / ISBN 13: 9780486468877

Published by Dover Publications, 2008

Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0486468879I3N00

Synopsis:

One of the most influential authors of the late nineteenth century, and a former editor of the Atlantic Monthly and Harper's Magazine, William Dean Howells wrote more than fifty novels, as well as plays, memoirs, and poetry collections. Opposed to the sentimentalism, contrived heroism, and theatrical endings in fiction, he developed a literary style based on unvarnished realism. This unique genre is brilliantly depicted in A Modern Instance, a novel that helped Howells' career skyrocket and is considered to be his masterpiece.
A cornerstone of American realism, it contrasts old and new worlds to explore social and moral issues involving family life and the traditional roles of women. Centering a novel on the theme of divorce was a radical concept in 1882, so this portrait of a failing marriage occupies a transitional moment in literary history. It opens in Equity, Maine, with a seemingly perfect love story. Ambitious journalist Bartley Hubbard and insecure Marcia Gaylord elope and move to Boston with great plans for their future. But Bartley's self-indulgence and Marcia's jealousy prove to be a combustible mix of character flaws that threatens to destroy the marriage—even after the birth of their child. A journey through each character's thoughts, feelings, and reveries, A Modern Instance winds its way around our hearts, promoting dialogue about the nature of marriage and the changing face of American society.

About the Author: William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an esteemed author, editor, and critic who championed the work of many American and European writers, including Norris, Ibsen, Zola, and Tolstoy.

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Modern Instance
Publisher: Dover Publications
Publication Date: 2008
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket