Four Stories by American Women

by Sarah Higginson Begley (Editor), Monica L. Kearney (Editor), Sarah Orne Jewett

This is a collection of four fiction books by American women. The stories are "Life in the Iron Mills" by Rebecca Harding, "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "Country of the Pointed Firs" by Sarah Orne Jewett and "Souls Belated" by Edith Wharton.

Genres: Classics, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction, Short Story Collection

241 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

Reviews

[molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"we've seen the nakedness of each other's souls"

the jewett story was long and tiresome, but the wharton story saved the whole book

[Manik Sukoco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is inspirational as well as educational by transitioning between Romanticism and Realism. The work challenges the reader to decide whether it refers simply to the prospect of salvation for a man convicted of stealing. Also questions are raised that is it possible that through the naturalistic view that Hugh's theft he can be excused by his unfortunate environment and heredity. Davis is an insightful and thoughtful writer, and this book represents that.

[Kristy Buzbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this from the library mostly because I just wanted to read The Yellow Wallpaper again (if you read that in high school, I highly recommend a re-read as an adult - especially if you suffered postpartum mental illness like I did. Hits much harder now). The other stories were good too, especially the one by Edith Wharton, which I hadn't read before. Wharton is the master of relationships with no good paths. Her romantic tragedy has always spoken to me, ever since Ethan Frome when I was a sophomore. Gutting.

[Lara Reading Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this anthology specifically for The Yellow Wallpaper to fulfill the Y requirement for my alphabet reading challenge. I absolutely loved three of the four stories. “Life in the Iron Mills”, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, and “Souls Belated” were all exceptional. Perfect examples of how powerful short stories can be.

“The Country of Pointed Firs” was fine on its own, but when buttressed by the other three stories, it just fell short.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

The yellow wallpaper was by far the best written of these stories. Wharton’s ‘Belated Soul’ was much weaker but still better than either Jewett or Davis’ story, both of which were intolerably dull. If it wasn’t for The Yellow Wallpaper, this would have received a 1.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Life in the Iron Mills" is an amazing work which illustrates the gap between the working poor and their employers and the obstacles placed before those who desire a better life. The reader is left with the question, "How much talent has society missed out on because the genius was born into poverty?"
Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Edith Wharton writings have been among my most memorable readings because of their common feminist theme of woman's struggle to be true to her unique individuality and the obstacles she encounteds in attempting to develop herself outside the role of wife and mother. These women give me a greater appreciation of what freedom I have today because of the sacrifices of women in the past.
"The Country of the Pointed Firs"
had it's charms, but seems to be more of a nostalgic piece.

[Laura Perlichek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this one for my American Women Writers course. First up is The Country of the Pointed Firs.

Call me insensitive. Or maybe just ignorant. But...

The prose is beautiful and reflects a genuinely talented writer, but plot-wise, I am halfway through and still asking...."So what's the point?"
We have been introduced to a wide array of characters, but all seem exclusive to the chapter(s) in which they appear, aside from Mrs. Todd and the narrator about whom we know very little. I have yet to hear from Mrs. Todd's mother again, for example. Why is William relevant? And Joanna?

Have no idea where this is going right now. Perhaps that makes it a little more interesting and exciting, though. And perhaps my judgment is not based on anything real anyway considering I'm not even done yet.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four gems , and a wonderful introduction that puts each story in the context of American literature after the Civil War.

[Kristina Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the stories, but had a hard time with The Country of the Pointed Firs. My professor says it's considered one of the great American stories. I find it lacking the American spirit.