Rough-Hewn

Rough-Hewn tracks the parallel lives of two young people - Neale Crittenden growing up in a small American town and Marise Allen in France. The story follows their individual paths from childhood through early adulthood in the early 1900s. Their contrasting upbringings shape their perspectives and choices as they navigate family expectations, education, and the transition to independence. Neale's experiences in America reflect the rapid changes of the era, while Marise's French childhood introduces cultural tensions and competing values. The narrative alternates between their separate storylines, building a dual portrait of coming-of-age in two different societies at the turn of the century. Social pressures, personal aspirations, and questions of identity drive both characters' journeys. The novel explores themes of nature versus nurture, cultural influence on character development, and the universal challenges of self-discovery. Through its parallel structure, it examines how environment and upbringing interact with individual temperament.

Reviews are limited for this lesser-known Dorothy Canfield novel, with only 17 total ratings found across platforms. Readers appreciated: - The character development of protagonists Neale and Marise - Descriptions of rural Vermont life and French culture - Examination of marriage and relationships - Writing style that balances realism with emotional depth Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the first third - Some outdated social attitudes reflective of the 1920s - Abrupt transitions between time periods Ratings: Goodreads: 3.65/5 (13 ratings) Internet Archive: No ratings Amazon: No current reviews One Goodreads reviewer noted: "The rich psychological portraits make up for the meandering plot." Another commented that "the novel rewards patient readers who stick with it through the early chapters." Most reviews come from academic sources or historical fiction enthusiasts rather than general readers.

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🔸 Dorothy Canfield Fisher was one of the first Americans to study with Maria Montessori in Italy, and she helped bring the Montessori method of education to the United States while writing "Rough-Hewn." 🔸 The novel follows two parallel storylines - an American boy and a French girl - before bringing them together, reflecting the author's deep understanding of both American and European cultures. 🔸 Published in 1922, "Rough-Hewn" explores themes of self-discovery and cultural identity during a period of massive social change following World War I. 🔸 While writing the book, Canfield established libraries for American soldiers in France and worked to help war-blinded soldiers learn to read Braille. 🔸 The title "Rough-Hewn" comes from Shakespeare's "As You Like It": "Your gentle hands lend us, and take our hearts, rough-hewn as they are," symbolizing the unfinished nature of human character.