Literature and Life (Complete)

"Literature and Life (Complete)" by William Dean Howells is a compilation of writings from the end of the 1800s that contemplates the relationship between books and the way people live. It looks at subjects like when artists have a hard time and what American books mean to society. Howells writes in a thoughtful way, mixing his opinions about books with thoughts about what it means to be alive. The book starts by defending authors as both artists and business people, pointing out the tension between being true to your art and making money. He feels that books and life go hand in hand, and that good books should show the real experiences of people. The book touches how writers fit in society, their money problems, and how chasing success in writing can feel shallow, paving the way for further study on those topics later, implying that authors must constantly balance art and the need to make a living.