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A review by erinfinn5
The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells, Kermit Vanderbilt
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What a delightfully human book. Often, when all you have of old times are novels of drama and passion, it’s easy to forget that these people were humans. This book was a reminder that they were all real, that in many ways they were just like us.
This novel is very down to earth. It is grave in some ways, but in a matter that I enjoyed. I love sentimental novels with my whole heart, leading them to be primarily what I read. This was one of my first forays into American realism, and I suppose it’s right that I started with the father of the genre, William Dean Howells. I think it’s nice to be able to sit back and just look into this one family’s life. They experience troubles that aren’t tied up with a little bow, their actions have consequences that are fully realized. The romance that exists is more a lesson of loyalty than one of that quick passion typical in sentimental novels from the era. In some ways, that made it more enjoyable. They call it American “realism” for a reason, I guess.
This novel is very down to earth. It is grave in some ways, but in a matter that I enjoyed. I love sentimental novels with my whole heart, leading them to be primarily what I read. This was one of my first forays into American realism, and I suppose it’s right that I started with the father of the genre, William Dean Howells. I think it’s nice to be able to sit back and just look into this one family’s life. They experience troubles that aren’t tied up with a little bow, their actions have consequences that are fully realized. The romance that exists is more a lesson of loyalty than one of that quick passion typical in sentimental novels from the era. In some ways, that made it more enjoyable. They call it American “realism” for a reason, I guess.