Sarah Orne Jewett

Sarah Orne Jewett is F.O. Matthiessen's literary biography examining the life and work of the 19th century American author. The book traces Jewett's development as a writer in New England, particularly focusing on her ties to Maine and the coastal region that shaped her perspective. Matthiessen explores Jewett's major works, including Country of the Pointed Firs, while providing historical and social context for her writing career. The biography draws on letters, journals, and other primary sources to construct a portrait of Jewett's literary circle and her relationships with other writers of the period. The narrative presents Jewett's evolution from a young country doctor's daughter to an established voice in American letters. Matthiessen documents her creative process and the influence of her environment on her distinctive regional writing style. Through this biographical study, Matthiessen reveals how Jewett's work captures the essence of New England life while addressing universal themes of community, nature, and human connection. The book positions Jewett within the broader American literary tradition while highlighting her unique contributions to regional realism.

This biographical study of Sarah Orne Jewett has limited reader reviews available online, with few ratings on Goodreads or Amazon. Academic readers note Matthiessen's thorough analysis of Jewett's literary development and his detailed examination of her techniques in capturing New England life. Several reviewers mention the book provides context about Jewett's relationships with other writers like Annie Fields. Critics point out the dated 1929 writing style and say some biographical sections drag. A few readers note Matthiessen focuses more on literary criticism than biography. The most common complaint is the book's limited availability, with many libraries only having older editions. Available Ratings: Goodreads: No rating (fewer than 5 reviews) Amazon: No rating (not currently listed) WorldCat: Listed in 1,180 libraries Note: This book predates modern online review culture, so comprehensive reader feedback is limited. Most discussion appears in academic journals rather than consumer reviews.

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🌟 F.O. Matthiessen was one of the first scholars to seriously study American literature at Harvard, helping establish it as a legitimate field of academic study in the 1940s. 🌿 Sarah Orne Jewett wrote primarily about Maine's coastal regions and was one of the first American authors to use regional dialect authentically in her fiction. 📚 This biography was published in 1929 when Matthiessen was only 27 years old - it was his first book and helped launch his distinguished career as a literary critic. 🏠 Jewett's famous novel "The Country of the Pointed Firs" (1896) was inspired by her hometown of South Berwick, Maine, where her house is now a National Historic Landmark. 🤝 Sarah Orne Jewett had a close relationship with Annie Fields, widow of publisher James T. Fields, and they lived together in Boston for many years in what was known as a "Boston marriage" - a term for two women living together independently.