Author
Henry Blake Fuller
1857-1929
Henry Blake Fuller (1857-1929) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Henry Blake Fuller
The Cliff-Dwellers: A Novel
"The Cliff-Dwellers: A Novel" by Henry Blake Fuller is a fictional work written in the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's rapidly evolving urban landscape, the novel explores themes of social interactions, aspirations, and the complexities of life in a bustling city. The story revolves around characters related to the Massachusetts Brass Company, including Walworth Floyd, who navigates his life amidst family expectations and societal pressures. The opening of the novel sets the stage by vividly describing the Clifton, a towering building housing a diverse group of people, including affluent businessmen and their families. The narrative introduces several key characters, including Walworth Floyd, who grapples with his position in life and the dynamics within his family, particularly regarding his choice of friends and his marriage. A significant focus is placed on the interactions between Walworth, his wife, and other young individuals in the community, foreshadowing deeper social themes and personal conflicts that will unfold throughout the story.
Bertram Cope's Year
"Bertram Cope's Year" by Henry Blake Fuller is a novel published in 1919, sometimes called the first American homosexual novel. Set at a Midwestern university, it follows an attractive young English instructor navigating the attentions of wealthy patrons—both male and female—while completing his thesis. Fuller's understated, ironic approach depicts what one critic called "normative homosexuality" with delicate restraint, allowing his characters to move through their world with surprising ease. The novel's subtle treatment of taboo themes initially baffled reviewers and readers, leaving its deeper meanings hidden to those without the key.
With the Procession
"With the Procession" by Henry Blake Fuller is a novel believed to have been written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the Marshall family, particularly focusing on the dynamics between its members and their interactions with the changing society around them, marked by the return of their son, Truesdale Marshall, after an extended period abroad. The opening of the novel introduces us to the elderly Mr. David Marshall, whose illness invokes surprising reactions from his family, who view his frailty as a crack in the once-impenetrable reliability they attributed to him. As the narrative progresses, it shifts to the bustling city life outside, illustrating the rising tensions between the family's established status and the modernizing world. Truesdale's return home, after years in Europe, sets the stage for family dramas, shifting social positions, and aspirations for relevance amidst a rapidly changing Chicago, where old values appear to clash with new realities. His sisters, Jane and Rosy, and their mother, Eliza, are fleshed out through their observations and responses to the city and to their brother’s newfound ‘elegance’ and experiences abroad, hinting at themes of social mobility and familial loyalty that will unfold throughout the narrative.
Under the Skylights
"Under the Skylights" by Henry Blake Fuller is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around Abner Joyce, a passionate young writer whose earnestness and socially conscious perspectives on rural life and community reform shape his literary works. At its core, the narrative explores Abner's interactions with various city denizens—ranging from affluent society members to fellow artists and reformers—as he grapples with issues of social justice and personal identity. The opening of the story establishes Abner Joyce's character as a driven, idealistic individual who has recently gained attention with his first book, "This Weary World." His intense earnestness is juxtaposed with the superficiality he perceives in the urban social scene, which he navigates with a mixture of intrigue and disdain. As the chapters progress, the text introduces a colorful cast of characters, including Mrs. Palmer Pence, a wealthy society woman, and Leverett Whyland, a man of influence, setting the stage for Abner's internal and external conflicts between his humble origins and the seductive allure of urban intellectual life. The beginning effectively captures the tension between idealism and pragmatism, hinting at the shifts Abner will experience as he attempts to find his place among the contrasts of his rural upbringing and the modern city culture.
On the Stairs
"On the Stairs" by Henry Blake Fuller is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds the lives of two boys, Johnny McComas and Raymond Prince, exploring themes of social mobility, identity, and the contrasting paths they take in life. Beginning with their experiences in a school setting in the late 19th century, the story delves into how their social standings evolve over the years. The opening of the novel introduces us to Johnny and Raymond during their youth at Grant's Private Academy in 1873, and then shifts to 1916, highlighting their diverging trajectories. Johnny, who comes from humble beginnings, demonstrates a willingness to adapt and thrive in the business world. In contrast, Raymond, the son of a capitalist family, struggles with his identity and aspirations, feeling out of place in the expectations set by his family. Their relationship is pivotal as they navigate their challenges, with an emphasis on the societal pressures and personal choices that influence their respective fates.