Meadow Grass: Tales of New England Life

"Meadow Grass: Tales of New England Life" by Alice Brown is a set of short stories that paint a picture of life in the New England countryside long ago. The chapters introduce different people in close communities, focusing on what their lives are like every day, how they connect with each other, and the fond memories they have from a less complicated time, using descriptive language and creating strong mental images. The book starts with a look back at childhood memories of a small school in Tiverton. The narrator remembers the beautiful countryside, the easy, happy days of being young, and the busy life around the school, describing the details of nature and the simple pleasures of school days. People mentioned from those early memories include classmates who have lived different kinds of lives since then, showing how time passes and how memories can last. This lively beginning prepares the reader for the stories to come, promising a closer look at the difficulties of life in a rural area.