James Lane Allen
James Lane Allen was an American novelist and short story writer whose work, including the novel A Kentucky Cardinal, often depicted the culture and dialects of his native Kentucky. His work is characteristic of the late 19th-century local color era, when writers sought to capture the vernacular in their fiction. Allen has been described as "Kentucky's first important novelist".
The Blue-Grass Region of Kentucky, and Other Kentucky Articles
Discover the beauty and charm of 19th-century Kentucky through vivid descriptions of its landscapes, farming, and the lives of its people in this collection of stories and articles.
By James Lane Allen
The Doctor's Christmas Eve
Amidst a snowy landscape and festive cheer, a doctor's children journey to find him, revealing the contrasting realities of joy and sickness during the holidays.
By James Lane Allen
The Bride of the Mistletoe
Amidst Christmas preparations on a Kentucky farm, a husband and wife face unresolved emotions and a secret that could redefine their love.
By James Lane Allen
The Choir Invisible
In the untamed lands of early Kentucky, a schoolteacher and a noblewoman navigate love and ambition amidst a clash of cultures and the dawn of a new era.
By James Lane Allen
A Kentucky Cardinal: A Story
Amidst the serene landscapes of 1850s Kentucky, a lonely man finds solace in the quiet contemplation of nature and the anticipation of human connection.
By James Lane Allen
The Mettle of the Pasture
Caught between the traditions of her past and the uncertain future with the man she is about to marry, a young woman faces a revelation that could unravel everything.
By James Lane Allen
A Cathedral Singer
In a city of contrasts, a mother's love and a boy's talent face a crisis that could change their lives forever.
By James Lane Allen
Flute and Violin, and Other Kentucky Tales and Romances
In old Kentucky, a reverend's mysterious silence after his nightly flute playing, hinting at a compelling tale of love and loss.
By James Lane Allen
The Reign of Law; a tale of the Kentucky hemp fields
In the late 19th-century Kentucky, a community's fate is intertwined with the cultivation of hemp, as individuals grapple with personal desires, cultural shifts, and the promise of progress.
By James Lane Allen
The Last Christmas Tree: An Idyl of Immortality
In a desolate, snow-covered world where silence reigns, two trees contemplate the rise and fall of humanity and the enduring mystery of existence.
By James Lane Allen
Sister Dolorosa, and Posthumous Fame
In a world of faith, a young woman's suppressed desires ignite when a chance meeting forces her to choose between her divine vows and the yearnings of her heart.
By James Lane Allen
The Kentucky Warbler
A young boy risks everything to follow his passion for nature.
By James Lane Allen
Aftermath Part second of "A Kentucky Cardinal"
Amidst butterbeans and banter, a couple's journey into marriage begins, testing the boundaries of nature, love, and personal identity.
By James Lane Allen
The Emblems of Fidelity: A Comedy in Letters
When a famous English writer asks an American author for Kentucky ferns, a witty exchange of letters explores friendship and cultural differences.
By James Lane Allen