Stories and Sketches by our best authors

** "Stories and Sketches by Our Best Authors" by Various is an anthology of short stories from the late 1800s, showcasing different writers' abilities to tell stories about people's lives, feelings, and how they connect with each other. The first story, "The Skeleton at the Banquet," sets the mood by looking at sadness, loss, and mental health through the eyes of a young doctor named Dr. Graham as he thinks back on his life. The story begins with Dr. Graham alone in his office on Christmas, feeling sad because his wife died and his medical practice isn't doing well, making him feel hopeless. His night changes when he meets St. Victor Marchand, who asks him to visit his sick sister, Edith. Their conversations hint at problems with mental health, as St. Victor worries about his family's history of mental illness and wants to protect his sister. The opening draws readers into the intricate emotional worlds of its characters, set against the backdrop of societal norms and personal hardship. **