Down at Caxton's

"Down at Caxton's" by William A. McDermott is a collection of sketches written in the late 19th century that paint vivid portraits of important figures in American literature. The author's narratives capture personality and achievements, while carefully setting the scene for later thought about how literature, art, culture, and the Catholic Church connect. The author gives his work to his friend and mentions writers who inspired him. The collection begins with Richard Malcolm Johnston, whose stories show Georgia life before the Civil War. McDermott notices Johnston's realness and skill in showing local ways of speaking, saying that he is an important writer even though some critics missed it back then. This first look helps set the scene for the cultural and artistic topics that the book has to offer.