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The Story of a Country Town
Hardcover
Classic FictionGeneral FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781026008553
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 442
Weight: 1.75
Height: 1.00 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Story of a Country Town is a landmark of American realism, offering a stark and unvarnished portrayal of life in the rural Midwest. Written by E.W. Howe, the novel follows the life of young Ned Westlock as he navigates the austere and often oppressive environment of Twin Mounds, a fictional frontier settlement. Unlike the idealized depictions of pioneer life common in its time, Howe's narrative delves into the psychological toll of isolation, the rigidity of religious dogmatism, and the quiet tragedies that unfold within a small, judgmental community.
The work is celebrated for its somber tone and its insightful exploration of character, particularly through the figures of Ned's father, Reverend John Westlock, and the brooding Jo Erring. Through their struggles, Howe examines themes of ambition, failure, and the search for meaning in a landscape that offers little comfort. As a foundational text in the literary tradition of rural critique, The Story of a Country Town remains a significant contribution to American literature, providing a hauntingly authentic look at the hardships and complexities of the frontier experience.
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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
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