Annie Kilburn : a Novel

"Annie Kilburn: A Novel" by William Dean Howells is a work of fiction written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Annie Kilburn, the daughter of a deceased judge, as she returns to her hometown of Hatboro, Massachusetts, after spending eleven years in Rome. The novel explores themes of identity, social class, and the struggle between personal aspirations and societal expectations. The opening of the novel sets the stage for Annie's journey of self-discovery and reintegration into a community that has evolved in her absence. She grapples with the emotional weight of her father's death and the commitment to fulfill what she believes is her duty to contribute positively to the world around her. As Annie arrives in Hatboro, she encounters a mixture of nostalgia and disconnection from the familiar places of her youth. Her interactions with friends and acquaintances reveal both the growth that has taken place in the town and the challenges she faces in reconciling her past with her present intentions. Annie's thoughts reflect her inner conflict as she seeks meaning and purpose in her life upon her return. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Dean Howells was an American realist novelist, literary critic, and playwright, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria, and the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day," which was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name.