Concerning Lafcadio Hearn; With a Bibliography by Laura Stedman

"Concerning Lafcadio Hearn" by George M. Gould is a biographical sketch that explores the life of the writer Lafcadio Hearn, an individual recognized for his literary accomplishments and intricate character, and grapples with the trials he encountered alongside the artistic value found in his works. The biography opens by presenting Hearn, giving insight into his broken youth, family history, and the early years molded by doubt and change. Gould shows different stories of Hearn's parents and upbringing, showing Hearn's uncertainty about where he came from, which then affected how he was as a person and how he wrote. The story reflects on Hearn's first experiences, highlighting the missing family connections, education, and steadiness he went through, which shaped his artistic view and the choices he made in life; this examination sets the scene for a more thorough look into Hearn's later life, literary achievements, and the complicated nature of his being.