Westerfelt By: Will N. (Will Nathaniel) Harben (1858-1919)
In Will N. Harben's captivating novel, Westerfelt, readers are transported to the post-Civil War era of the American South, where the repercussions of war and the struggle for social and economic progression expose the deepest complexities of human nature. Harben skillfully weaves together a riveting story that delves into the themes of racial tension, love, redemption, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set in a small town in North Georgia, Westerfelt follows the lives of two central characters, Ross Garrison and Edith Brookes. Ross, the son of a wealthy industrialist, is burdened by his father's expectations and the weight of his family's name. Drawn to the relentless determination of the tenacious Edith, a young schoolteacher with her own set of dreams, the two embark on a tumultuous journey towards self-discovery and the dismantling of societal conventions. One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in Harben's compelling character development. Each individual is intricately crafted with multifaceted layers that transcend the stereotypes prevalent during this time period. Ross evolves from a seemingly privileged and apathetic youth to a deeply compassionate and principled man driven by his desire for social justice. Edith, on the other hand, encapsulates the essence of a spirited and independent woman ahead of her time, fighting against racial discrimination and societal constraints. Harben's descriptive prose brings the Southern landscape to life, effortlessly immersing readers into a world where the echoes of war still linger. He paints vivid scenes of cotton fields, rustic cabins, and the bustling town, masterfully intertwining them with the intricate struggles faced by each character. The novel also serves as a poignant exploration of the racial dynamics that plagued the post-Civil War South. Through the interactions between the characters and the harsh realities they each face, Harben fearlessly tackles the inherent prejudices and stereotypes deeply ingrained within society. He sheds light on the injustices faced by African Americans, subtly challenging the reader to confront their own biases and prejudices. While Westerfelt beautifully captures the essence of its time period and grapples with important social issues, it occasionally falls prey to melodramatic moments and predictable plot turns. However, these minor shortcomings do not detract from the overall impact of the story, which ultimately triumphs in its portrayal of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of love. In conclusion, Will N. Harben's Westerfelt is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that transports readers into the post-Civil War American South. Harben's masterful storytelling, well-developed characters, and exploration of societal themes make this a compelling read for any lover of historical fiction. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, there is always the possibility of redemption and the potential for social progress. First Page: E text prepared by Al Haines WESTERFELT A Novel by WILL N. HARBEN New York and London Harper & Brothers Publishers 1901 Copyright, 1901, by Harper & Brothers. All rights reserved. TO MY WIFE Westerfelt Chapter I They had had a quilting at the house of the two sisters that day. Six or seven women of the neighborhood, of middle age or older, had been in to sew on the glaring, varicolored square. All day long they had thrust their needles up and down and gossiped in their slow, insinuating way, pausing only at noon to move their chairs to the dinner table, where they sat with the same set curves to their backs. The sun had gone down behind the mountain and the workers had departed, some traversing the fields and others disappearing by invisible paths in the near by wood. The two sisters had taken the finished quilt from its wooden frame, and were carefully ironing out the wrinkles preparatory to adding it to the useless stack of its kind in the corner of the room. "I believe, as I'm alive, that it's the purtiest one yet," remarked Mrs. Slogan. "Leastwise, I hain't seed narry one to beat it. Folks talks mightily about Mis' Lithicum's last one, but I never did have any use fer yaller buff, spliced in with indigo an' deep red. I wisht they was goin' to have the Fair this year; ef I didn't send this un I'm a liar... Continue reading book >>

Westerfelt By: Will N. (Will Nathaniel) Harben (1858-1919)

In Will N. Harben's captivating novel, Westerfelt, readers are transported to the post-Civil War era of the American South, where the repercussions of war and the struggle for social and economic progression expose the deepest complexities of human nature. Harben skillfully weaves together a riveting story that delves into the themes of racial tension, love, redemption, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Set in a small town in North Georgia, Westerfelt follows the lives of two central characters, Ross Garrison and Edith Brookes. Ross, the son of a wealthy industrialist, is burdened by his father's expectations and the weight of his family's name. Drawn to the relentless determination of the tenacious Edith, a young schoolteacher with her own set of dreams, the two embark on a tumultuous journey towards self-discovery and the dismantling of societal conventions.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in Harben's compelling character development. Each individual is intricately crafted with multifaceted layers that transcend the stereotypes prevalent during this time period. Ross evolves from a seemingly privileged and apathetic youth to a deeply compassionate and principled man driven by his desire for social justice. Edith, on the other hand, encapsulates the essence of a spirited and independent woman ahead of her time, fighting against racial discrimination and societal constraints.

Harben's descriptive prose brings the Southern landscape to life, effortlessly immersing readers into a world where the echoes of war still linger. He paints vivid scenes of cotton fields, rustic cabins, and the bustling town, masterfully intertwining them with the intricate struggles faced by each character.

The novel also serves as a poignant exploration of the racial dynamics that plagued the post-Civil War South. Through the interactions between the characters and the harsh realities they each face, Harben fearlessly tackles the inherent prejudices and stereotypes deeply ingrained within society. He sheds light on the injustices faced by African Americans, subtly challenging the reader to confront their own biases and prejudices.

While Westerfelt beautifully captures the essence of its time period and grapples with important social issues, it occasionally falls prey to melodramatic moments and predictable plot turns. However, these minor shortcomings do not detract from the overall impact of the story, which ultimately triumphs in its portrayal of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of love.

In conclusion, Will N. Harben's Westerfelt is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that transports readers into the post-Civil War American South. Harben's masterful storytelling, well-developed characters, and exploration of societal themes make this a compelling read for any lover of historical fiction. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, there is always the possibility of redemption and the potential for social progress.

First Page:

E text prepared by Al Haines

WESTERFELT

A Novel

WILL N. HARBEN

MY WIFE

Westerfelt

Chapter I

They had had a quilting at the house of the two sisters that day. Six or seven women of the neighborhood, of middle age or older, had been in to sew on the glaring, varicolored square. All day long they had thrust their needles up and down and gossiped in their slow, insinuating way, pausing only at noon to move their chairs to the dinner table, where they sat with the same set curves to their backs.

The sun had gone down behind the mountain and the workers had departed, some traversing the fields and others disappearing by invisible paths in the near by wood. The two sisters had taken the finished quilt from its wooden frame, and were carefully ironing out the wrinkles preparatory to adding it to the useless stack of its kind in the corner of the room.

"I believe, as I'm alive, that it's the purtiest one yet," remarked Mrs. Slogan. "Leastwise, I hain't seed narry one to beat it. Folks talks mightily about Mis' Lithicum's last one, but I never did have any use fer yaller buff, spliced in with indigo an' deep red. I wisht they was goin' to have the Fair this year; ef I didn't send this un I'm a liar... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
Literature

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