Author
Sherwood Anderson
1876-1941
Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Sherwood Anderson
Winesburg, Ohio: A Group of Tales of Ohio Small Town Life
"Winesburg, Ohio: A Group of Tales of Ohio Small Town Life" by Sherwood Anderson is a short story cycle published in 1919. Set in the fictional town of Winesburg, Ohio, the work follows George Willard from childhood to young adulthood as he prepares to leave his hometown. Through twenty-two interconnected stories, Anderson explores the inner lives of various townspeople, each struggling with loneliness and isolation in pre-industrial small-town America. Known for its psychological depth and plainspoken prose, the work is considered an early example of Modernist literature.
Windy McPherson's Son
"Windy McPherson's Son" by Sherwood Anderson is a novel published in 1916. It follows Sam McPherson's journey from ambitious newsboy in small-town Iowa, embarrassed by his drunkard father, to successful Chicago businessman. As Sam climbs the corporate ladder, his personal life crumbles—his marriage fails, and professional triumphs leave him empty. Wealthy but unhappy, he abandons everything to wander America seeking meaning. Anderson's debut novel explores the American dream's hollow promises and one man's search for authentic fulfillment beyond material success.
Poor White: A Novel
"Poor White: A Novel" by Sherwood Anderson is a novel written during the early 20th century. The book revolves around the life of Hugh McVey, a young man born into poverty and hardship in a small town along the Mississippi River. It explores themes of social class, self-discovery, and the struggle to escape a cycle of indolence and familial dysfunction. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Hugh McVey, whose early life is marked by neglect and hardship, primarily due to the failings of his alcoholic father. Orphaned and left to fend for himself, Hugh unexpectedly finds an opportunity for growth when he begins working as a man's assistant at a railroad station. There, he experiences a new rhythm of life and the influence of Sarah Shepard, the station master's wife, who becomes a maternal figure and endeavors to educate him, pulling him away from the lethargy that plagues his family and community. In this opening portion, we see Hugh's struggle with his identity, his desire for self-improvement, and his gradual awakening to the possibilities of a life beyond his impoverished upbringing, setting the stage for his later journey toward independence and self-actualization.
A story teller's story : $b The tale of an American writer's journey through his own imaginative world and through the world of facts, with many of his experiences and impressions among other writers
"A Story Teller's Story" by Sherwood Anderson is a memoir written in the early 20th century. This autobiographical work chronicles the experiences and reflections of an American writer as he navigates his imaginative world, recounting the memories of his upbringing and the struggles that shaped him. The narrative explores the relationships within his family, particularly focusing on his father, mother, and siblings, as well as the broader themes of poverty, aspiration, and the quest for identity in a changing America. The opening of the memoir presents a vivid portrayal of the author's mid-American childhood, detailing the poverty that shaded his family life but also the warmth and humor that pervaded their experiences. Anderson paints a picture of his father as a failed artist striving for significance amid their economic hardships, while his mother is depicted as a nurturing yet mysterious figure. The youthful narrator reflects on poignant memories of childhood antics, sibling dynamics, and the bittersweet nature of their existence, emphasizing the juxtaposition between aspirations and reality. This vivid reminiscence sets the stage for a deeper exploration of art, family, and the writer's own evolving identity throughout the memoir.
Marching Men
"Marching Men" by Sherwood Anderson is a novel published in 1917. Norman "Beaut" McGregor grows up disgusted by the powerlessness of coal miners in his hometown. After fleeing to Chicago, he discovers a radical vision: organizing workers through synchronized marching. As he pursues his dream of imposing order on chaos, McGregor navigates romantic entanglements and legal battles while developing his militant philosophy. The novel explores labor organization, the eradication of disorder, and the role of exceptional individuals in society.
Horses and Men: Tales, long and short, from our American life
"Horses and Men: Tales, long and short, from our American life" by Sherwood Anderson is a short story collection published in 1923. Anderson's third collection following the acclaimed "Winesburg, Ohio," this volume presents nine stories exploring American life. The book includes tales previously published in magazines like The Dial and Harper's, alongside original works drawn from Anderson's unpublished novel manuscripts. Dedicated to Theodore Dreiser, the collection offers Anderson's distinctive portraits of American characters and experiences, from foolish youth to troubled spirits navigating modern life.
Triumph of the Egg, and Other Stories
"Triumph of the Egg, and Other Stories" by Sherwood Anderson is a collection of short stories likely written in the early 20th century, reflecting the complexities of American life during this period. The stories delve into the nuances of human relationships, personal aspirations, and the often stark contrast between expectation and reality, using rich, symbolic imagery to convey deeper emotional and psychological themes. The opening of the collection presents a vivid exploration of the author's mind as he grapples with the tales that inhabit it. The narrator describes how various stories linger in his thoughts like characters waiting at his doorstep, conveying a sense of urgency to share their experiences. One particular story describes three men in a house and a woman upstairs, highlighting themes of longing and the desperate human need for connection. This opening sets the stage for a journey through American life, filled with rich imagery and emotional depth, promising readers introspection and a poignant look at the struggles of ordinary people.
The modern writer
"The Modern Writer" by Sherwood Anderson is an essay exploring the development of American literature and the challenges faced by writers in a diverse and rapidly evolving country. Written in the early 20th century, the book delves into the unique circumstances that shape American writing against the backdrop of a vast and varied landscape, as well as a cultural mosaic that makes national expression difficult. The work discusses the impact of industrialization, popular culture, and commercial pressures on the art of writing, suggesting that true art emerges from authenticity rather than the demands of mass appeal. In this critical examination, Anderson contemplates the role of the writer as a craftsman who must stay true to their materials—human lives and experiences—amid the distractions of commercialism and the standardization of taste. He argues that many contemporary writers prioritize success and mass acceptance over genuine expression, leading to a proliferation of subpar work. The essay champions the modern movement as a search for deeper meaning and connection through art, encouraging writers to prioritize honest, nuanced storytelling that reflects the complexity of human experience rather than conforming to popular formulas. Ultimately, Anderson presents a call to arms for writers to reclaim their craft, emphasizing that true fulfillment is derived from the work itself rather than external validation.
Many Marriages
Many Marriages by Sherwood Anderson is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows John Webster, a Midwestern washing-machine manufacturer whose sudden inner awakening disrupts his settled marriage and draws him toward his secretary, Natalie Swartz. Through sensuous imagery and introspective monologue, the book probes love, desire, conscience, and the constraints of modern respectability as Webster questions his roles as husband, father, and businessman. The opening of the novel frames an “Explanation” to magazine readers and a foreword meditating on the terror of direct actions in love, then plunges into Webster’s day of upheaval. At work and in town, he experiences a torrent of heightened perceptions and symbols—the body-as-house, black laborers singing, a green stone—while testing his world against these revelations. He studies his wife Mary’s heaviness, his daughter Jane’s unread face, and the quiet dignity of their servant Katherine; he wanders parks and streets, considers escaping to Chicago for anonymous indulgence, then returns to find Natalie freshly bathed and dressed, wordlessly affirming their bond as he kneels with his head in her lap. Town employees notice; the bookkeeper frets and gossips, while Webster spends evenings with Natalie, imagines leaving his business and family, walks into the countryside speaking of love and openness, and, back at home, lies awake sensing the community’s judgment and the stark exposure of private lives—like rooms revealed after a fire.