William Dean Howells
William Dean Howells was an influential American novelist, critic, and editor, born on March 1, 1837, in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Often referred to as the "Dean of American Letters," Howells played a significant role in shaping American literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a strong advocate for realism in literature, believing that stories should reflect the complexities of everyday life. His keen observations of society and human relationships are woven throughout his work, making his writing both relatable and insightful.
Howells' literary career was marked by his friendships with prominent figures such as Mark Twain and Henry James, and his role as the editor of the Atlantic Monthly helped to elevate many writers of his time. His notable works, including "The Rise of Silas Lapham" and "A Hazard of New Fortunes," explore themes of social class, morality, and the American experience. As you delve into his stories, you'll find a rich tapestry of characters and situations that resonate deeply with the human experience. We invite you to explore Howells' works in our app and discover the timeless insights he offers.
Christmas Every Day and Other Stories Told for Children
Read by David Wales
William Dean Howells
Five short delightful stories for children, told in the voice of "the papa" to "the girl" and "the boy" Willia…
Indian Summer (version 2)
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
William Dean Howells
Set in Florence's Anglo-American colony in the late 19th century, this is a romantic story of a middle-aged man, returning to the scene of h…
A Hazard of New Fortunes
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
William Dean Howells
Howell’s novel is set in New York of the late nineteenth century, a city familiar to readers of Edith Wharton and Henry James. Basil March, …
Une rencontre
Read by Margot
William Dean Howells
Kitty Ellison, orpheline vit avec la famille de son oncle dans l'Etat de New York. En voyage, sur le bateau à vapeur quittant le Qu&e…
The Rise of Silas Lapham
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William Dean Howells
The Rise of Silas Lapham is the most widely read of W.D. Howells’ novels. An example of literary realism, the story is about a farmer (Silas…
A Little Swiss Sojourn
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
William Dean Howells
A charming brief account of a two months' autumnal stay on the shores of the Lake of Geneva. Howells, who was there with his family travelin…
Five O'Clock Tea
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William Dean Howells
A light-hearted romantic comedy in twelve short scenes, set during a tea party in the home of Mrs. Amy Somers, a widow who is courted by the…
Indian Summer
Read by Leonard Wilson (1930-2024)
William Dean Howells
In his novel Indian Summer, William Dean Howells presents a mellow but realistic story that has the complete feel of that delightful time of…
My Mark Twain
Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
William Dean Howells
William Dean Howells (1837-1920) became fast friends with Mark Twain from the moment in 1869 when Twain strode into the office of The Atlant…
The Coast of Bohemia
Read by Expatriate
William Dean Howells
William Dean Howells is at his iconoclastic best in this exploration of bourgeois values, particularly in the clash between respectable soci…
Heroines of Fiction
Read by Jim Locke
William Dean Howells
This two-volume work includes heroines from the works of Eliot, Trollope, Hardy, Harte, Austen, Edgeworth, Scott, Dickens, Hawthorne, E. Bro…
Twain and Howells On Each Other
Read by John Greenman
William Dean Howells and Mark Twain
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and William Dean Howells were friends for 44 years. Their personal and professional relationship is considered b…
A Traveller from Altruria
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William Dean Howells
Set in the early 1890s, at a fashionable summer resort somewhere on the East Coast of the United States, this book tells the story of Mr. T…
Annie Kilburn
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William Dean Howells
After 11 years in Rome, Annie Kilburn returns home to the US after the death of her father. But the home she knew is dramatically changed in…
"Christmas Every Day"
William Dean Howells
A little girl wishes for it to be Christmas every day -- and gets her wish -- in this 1892 story. Much imitated and adapted!
Venetian Life
Read by Timothy Ferguson
William Dean Howells
William Dean Howells was American Consul to Venice for four years. His term ended in 1865. He wrote about the city, and the culture of the V…
Hope
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
William Dean Howells
LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of Hope by William Dean Howells.This was the Weekly Poetry project for July 7, 2019. ------A…
The Lady of the Aroostook
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
William Dean Howells
Lydia blood is young, beautiful, intelligent and has a wonderful singing voice. She leaves her home in Massachusetts, where she lives with h…
Years of My Youth
Read by Ted Lienhart
William Dean Howells
After the Civil War William Dean Howells served for 15 years as Assistant Editor and then Editor of the prestigious 'Atlantic' Magazine. For…
Stops of Various Quills
Read by Zach Hoyt
William Dean Howells
Stops Of Various Quills is a short book of poetry written by WIlliam Dean Howells in the years following the death of his daughter. The tit…