The Rise of Silas Lapham
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William Dean Howells
(4,567 Sterne; 15 Bewertungen)
The Rise of Silas Lapham is the most widely read of W.D. Howells’ novels. An example of literary realism, the story is about a farmer (Silas Lapham) who launches a very successful paint business, and moves his family up the social ladder of Boston. Lapham, however, is not one of the new types of American businessman, the ruthless plutocrat, rather he is the old-fashioned trustworthy Yankee trader, and the story deals with how he fares in the industrial capitalist environment. It is also a novel of manners, telling the story of the courtship of a daughter, and the difficulties the family deals with in attempting to move from one social class to another. (Summary by Margaret Espaillat) (12 hr 35 min)
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An American Story
jenniebrown
(5 Sterne)
Silas epitomizes the rags to riches story with some interesting moral dilemmas that can make or break oneself and/or the people involved. Silas wants to move his family "up" on the social ladder in Boston to show how successful he is in business but will it be his crowning glory? He is a tough, unpolished man who depends on his devoted wife's advice but can he take her advice on the moral issues of the day. As a Howell fan, I found this book one of his best and could not put it down. Fascinating story and with only two narrators who were excellent!