Books: Benevolent Realism*

W.D. Howells Secreted Literature, Like Ivory or Pearl

The Man. Some 88 years ago, in Martin's Ferry, Ohio, there arrived a boy whose Welsh father and Irish-German mother caused him to be called William Dean Howells. The boy played a little, went to school a bit, then learned to sit long hours on a high stool in a printer's shop setting type. When he could, he went home and sat alone "in a windowed nook under the stairs," tirelessly schooling himself in literature, languages, composition. He loved his family with a deep reserve; he...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!