William Dean Howells
William Dean Howells was the leading champion of literary realism in America and used his influential editorial position to promote both established and emerging writers. His novels examined middle-class life with ironic precision.
Works
- The Rise of Silas LaphamNovel depicting the rise and decline of a wealthy paint manufacturer and his family
- A Modern InstanceNovel examining the consequences of divorce and infidelity in American society
- Indian SummerNovel of romance and self-discovery set in Italy exploring American expatriate life
- A Hazard of New FortunesNovel depicting the lives of newspaper workers navigating New York City society
- The Landlord at Lion's HeadNovel of character and ambition set at a rural New England inn during peacetime