Novel 057: Constance Fenimore Woolson, Anne (1882)
A woman grows up on Michigan’s Mackinac Island, then moves east.
Constance Fenimore Woolson (1840-1894), the grandniece of James Fenimore Cooper, published some six novels. This one shows much variety: regionalist detail at the beginning, social satire in the middle, melodrama (and the Civil War) at the end.
“We venture to say that Anne is one of the most remarkable works of fiction that has appeared for many years. It is remarkable for its own sake—for animation of plot and variety of character; and it is remarkable also as holding a place midway between the old American novel of incident and the modern American novel of analysis.” Academy, July 21, 1882
“The reader is held under the delightful impression, not that he is to find something in the next chapter to reward him, but that every turn and eddy in the stream will be worth his attention. . . . As to characters, they crowd the stage with an assemblage of powerfully-drawn actors, each marked with unmistakable individuality.” Independent, Sept. 7, 1882
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