Parris Mitchell of Kings Row

by Henry Bellamann, Katherine Bellamann

"Parris Mitchell of Kings Row" by Henry Bellamann, Katherine Bellamann. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Genres: Fiction

333 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

A native of Fulton, Missouri, Heinrich Hauer Bellamann was born on April 28, 1882. He was a serious student of music and studied both in this country and abroad. From 1907 until 1932, when he began to pursue writing full-time, Bellamann held administrative and teaching positions at several educational institutions including Julliard and Vassar. During these years, Bellamann wrote poetry and published three volumes: A Music Teacher's Notebook (1920), Cups of Illusion (1923), and The Upward Pass (1928). Although his poetry is today even less well known than his fiction, Bellamann is recognized by David Perkins in his 1976 History of Modern Poetry in which he ranks Bellamann with the serious minor poets who "adopted the mode" of the Imagists (p. 347). In 1942 Publishers' Weekly inaccurately reported that Bellamann was an author "new to the book trade" prior to the publication of Kings Row in 1940 (143:244). However, in addition to the three volumes of poetry already mentioned, four of Bellamann's novels were published before Kings Row. Furthermore, the range of sub-genre in which Bellamann experimented is quite surprising. In addition to Kings Row, Bellamann wrote two farm novels, a novel of manners, a social drama, a mystery, and a gothic romance. From 1907 until his death in 1945, Bellamann was married to Katherine Jones Bellamann of Carthage, Mississippi. Mrs. Bellamann herself was a novelist and poet and shared much creative work with her husband. In 1948, she completed Parris Mitchell of Kings Row, his posthumous sequel to Kings Row. She died in 1956. The Bellamanns had no children.

Reviews

[Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

At least 3.6 stars, rounded up to 4.0

Interesting follow-up to KINGS ROW, though in some ways a more conventional novel with fewer issues in it to deem it as "controversial" as the first book. But it's not totally sanitized or sugar-coated in its portrayal of small-town life.

The setting jumps to 1916, prior to the US involvement in the Great War. Parris is still a doctor, working at the local state hospital for the mentally ill. He is married to Elise to whom he adores, but is he really happy? He is fond of her, but is he really in love with her?

Other characters include DA Fulmer Green and his slimy brother Donny, who together conspire to ruin Parris and his career.

The book also concentrates on the country's arrival into war, and how it arouses prejudices towards those people in the town of German and Austrian heritage, even though their loyalties to America are plain clear to see.

There is also a scene where a local girl is raped, and horrifically it is decided not to report it to authorities. That would be unthinkable now, but such things probably happened back then. Different times, and not always for the better.

Overall, the book was gripping, though long-winded from time to time, both with the prose and dialogue. Parris was a decent character, but seemed to be somewhat righteous, opinionated, with a "I'm always right and I'm here to correct you" type approach to things. The tendency to be preachy could be a bit much at times, for example during the scene where he addresses college students on the issue of "hazing".

But putting these issues aside, the book was a worthwhile successor to KINGS ROW.
Most of it was written by Katherine Bellamann, after her husband passed away and left it unfinished.

[Kathy Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of King's Row in which the relationships begun in the previous book, which began when Parris was a small child and ended when he left for Vienna to study medicine. In this book he returns and begins practice working with the fragile minds at the state asylum. He marries and works with the denizens of King's Row, some of which he went to school with. Interesting as a case study of small town-dom and a Mid West view of the first World War.

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read Henry Bellamann sequel to his novel, “Parris Mitchell of Kings Rows”. I enjoyed the movie which has the same vibe as these novels but quite different in so many ways. In my spoiler section in this review I will comment more. The thing that strikes me is that religion is really absent in general were the first broached religion especially in main character Parris. Another point was made between school mates Parris Mitchell being the embodiment of good verses Fulmer Green, being evil. Yes, in general Parris has higher ideals and implements them to help others but his atheism and his thinking that he can control outcomes to be positive when human frailties especially Providence is in charge. I liked Parris but could never get past his behavior with women, in the first novel. (Being more concerned about having sexual relations with the two young girls in his youth; and not regretting one bit when he was 15 and the young girl 14.). Overall, he means well but his and others lack in faith lacking. Kings Row has many troubles that are quite cruel and hidden, showing that reality of how a town and its people deal with it. Parris is on the side of making life better in Kings Row, he feels a connection that binds him to his roots. Paris is in his mid thirties and the first World War is about to start. This novel shows many truths and the treatment of American citizens with a German background is quite disturbing and sad.

Story in short- Parris has decided to stay in Kings Row and practice at the nearby asylum.



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Recognizing the fate that so often befalls “sequels,” I hasten to say that
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this is not a sequel, but a continuation of the story of the town, introducing many new characters and situations.
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The present volume departs somewhat from the original purpose; it was to have been the psychoanalysis of the town as viewed and understood by Dr. Mitchell. It so happens that it has turned out to be more of a personal history of the young doctor and his frequently frustrated efforts to help the unwilling people about him.
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The one thing that upset me was Parris' treatment of his wife Elise. He seems to have married her for reasons of protecting her, something he could never do for Renee and Cassie. Elise should have been more open with him she hide what she truly felt. The inability to be strong enough to bear children and have a strong character, yet he thought he wanted a personality like Rany. When Elise lost her young friend and the cruel death of her German dog by the town boys, hit her hard. She even had seen her husband kiss her friend, Randy. She gave Parris excuses, Parris who wanted Randy, but though she loves him knows they cannot because it was wrong. After Elise dies of a weak heart, it took him a long time before he wanted to marry Randy. He was blaming himself and always clings to the past. The rape of Dyanna was so evil, when her husband killed both men responsible, she lost him. She never seemed to recover emotionally and it is unclear if damage was done to prevent a family. Fulmer was a dark uncaring man who thought Paris was always his enemy, ready to take him down.

In the movie, a happy ending for Elise and Parris. The exposure of the doctor that harmed his patients by his daughter was kept hidden. Randy and Drake live happily ever after, in the book Drake dies and Randy falls for Parris. There are a lot more differences especially the tension between Fulmer and Parris.

[Karen Boblett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of Henry Bellamann's novel, "Kings Row". He started this book, but before it could be finished, he became ill and died. His wife Katherine continued with the story and finished writing the story he had started.

It is about his main character, in "Kings Row", Parris Mitchell. I guess you could say it somehow continues on with Parris' life. I found the book easy to get into after reading the first book about Parris Mitchell. It isn't a long read with only 333 pages that move right along about life in 1918 Kings Row. The authors throw in some new characters and some of the older characters from the first book, "Kings Row".

If you like to read continuations of stories in novels, you will probably enjoy reading this book. I found it interesting but not as good as the first book, "Kings Row."

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just ok for me, very choppy, more like a lot of short stories about small town people. Poorly edited In my opinion. I will not remember a thing about it tomorrow. The ideas for the book were good but not carried out well.

[Tammy Downing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book about a man who come home to the Midwest after studying psychiatry abroad. He finds works in his hometown mental hospital. A man in his hometown does everything he can to destroy Parris Mitchell. It takes place around the time of WWI.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the eye-opener that Kings Row was, but it was completed by Katherine, not Henry.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read the sequel. Just as good as Kings Row. They made a film out of the first with a very young Ronald Reagan.

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

Kinda weird, as much as I remember of it. Think I'll pass it along.