Inspired by Anderson's Midwestern boyhood and his adulthood in early 20th-century Chicago, this volume gave birth to the American story cycle, for which Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and later writers were forever indebted. Defying the prudish sensibilities of his time, Anderson embraced frankness and truth. Here we meet all those whose portraits brought the American short story into the modern age.
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About the Author
Born in 1876, Sherwood Anderson grew up in a small town in Ohio—an experience that was the basis of his greatest achievements as a writer. He served in the Spanish-American War, worked as an advertising man, and managed an Ohio paint factory before abandoning both job and family to embark on a literary career in Chicago. His first novel, Windy McPherson's Son, was published in 1916; his second, Marching Men, a characteristic study of the individual in conflict with industrial society, appeared in 1917. But it is Winesburg, Ohio (1919), with its disillusioned view of small-town lives, that is generally considered his masterpiece. Later novels—Poor White, Many Marriages, and Dark Laughter—continued to depict the spiritual poverty of the machine age. Anderson died in 1941.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
... Isn't one of the ultimate benchmarks of successful parenting when your child selects a book from her bookshelf, and says: "Here Dad, you may enjoy this"? Of course I had to overcome that instinctive shudder when I recognized the not very "zippy" title as belong to one of those "school assignment" books I had so successfully dodged. Yet considering it is far past the time to reconsider that initial aversion, and that the only teacher I have to please is myself; and then there is the matter of the pedigree of the recommender... so why not?
I did not get past the introduction before I uncovered a recommendation that reinforced the others. Sherwood Anderson was a mentor to both Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, no small matter in itself. The not very fictional town of Winesburg, Ohio is based on the very real town of Clyde, Ohio, wherever that is. It proves to be located not that far off the shores of Lake Erie, between Cleveland and Toledo. Clyde still has only around 6,000 people, and their website promotes the virtues of small town living. But where is their most famous writer? You have to "drill down" two levels in their website, to find a brief, two sentence mention of the writer who literally "put them on the map." They'd rather talk about their Civil War General, James McPherson, or the Whirlpool plant. So, perhaps the ultimate endorsement: he had told too much about them, a realistic assessment of the town that jars with the "pro-business" image the website promotes, and thus numerous folks today are still not fond of him.
The book itself is composed of 24 short stories; many of them could be "stand alone" in their excellence. In some cases the character appears only in that story, such as The Reverend Curtis Hartman in "The Strength of God," or Enoch Robinson in "Loneliness." There are other characters, such as Helen White, and George Willard, who is a reporter for the local newspaper at 18, and is a thinly disguised Sherwood Anderson, who appear in multiple stories. Anderson's introductory story, entitled "The Book of the Grotesques" about a writer who: "All of the men and women the writer had ever known had become grotesques," which may be a bit harsh, but clearly this book is peopled with life's outliers, and many "lives of quiet desperation." Issues that haunt the papers today were covered by Anderson then, such as the male teacher who may have placed his hands on the boys once too often, and was run out of town, and the female teacher who had "a thing" for a lad 12 years her junior. There is also the voyeuristic preacher, and the farmer who is an instrument of "God's will." All not your normal Chamber of Commerce fare.
Anderson's prose is lean; his characters are drawn tightly and swiftly, and he seems to have a knack for the specific detail that says so much more about the person. There is also much normalcy in the book; much concerns the longing of the human heart, the figurative and literal groping with the opposite sex that is part of the coming of age process, and beyond. As in real life, the relationships can become complex and ambivalent, and Anderson even speculates on the nature of the solace his fictional mother may have been obtaining from the local doctor. Some reviewers were concerned that everything didn't tie together in the end - but I figure that is the essence of real life. In the conclusion, George Willard, just like the real life Sherwood Anderson, boards the train, and leaves town, seeking his place in the wider world. The irony is that the material for his finest writing was obtained during his first 18 years, in Clyde.
Much belated apologies, certainly for myself, as well as those 1-star reviewers, to the English teachers who tried in their Sisyphean task. Mea culpa. And thanks to my daughter for this solid 5-star read.
I did not get past the introduction before I uncovered a recommendation that reinforced the others. Sherwood Anderson was a mentor to both Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner, no small matter in itself. The not very fictional town of Winesburg, Ohio is based on the very real town of Clyde, Ohio, wherever that is. It proves to be located not that far off the shores of Lake Erie, between Cleveland and Toledo. Clyde still has only around 6,000 people, and their website promotes the virtues of small town living. But where is their most famous writer? You have to "drill down" two levels in their website, to find a brief, two sentence mention of the writer who literally "put them on the map." They'd rather talk about their Civil War General, James McPherson, or the Whirlpool plant. So, perhaps the ultimate endorsement: he had told too much about them, a realistic assessment of the town that jars with the "pro-business" image the website promotes, and thus numerous folks today are still not fond of him.
The book itself is composed of 24 short stories; many of them could be "stand alone" in their excellence. In some cases the character appears only in that story, such as The Reverend Curtis Hartman in "The Strength of God," or Enoch Robinson in "Loneliness." There are other characters, such as Helen White, and George Willard, who is a reporter for the local newspaper at 18, and is a thinly disguised Sherwood Anderson, who appear in multiple stories. Anderson's introductory story, entitled "The Book of the Grotesques" about a writer who: "All of the men and women the writer had ever known had become grotesques," which may be a bit harsh, but clearly this book is peopled with life's outliers, and many "lives of quiet desperation." Issues that haunt the papers today were covered by Anderson then, such as the male teacher who may have placed his hands on the boys once too often, and was run out of town, and the female teacher who had "a thing" for a lad 12 years her junior. There is also the voyeuristic preacher, and the farmer who is an instrument of "God's will." All not your normal Chamber of Commerce fare.
Anderson's prose is lean; his characters are drawn tightly and swiftly, and he seems to have a knack for the specific detail that says so much more about the person. There is also much normalcy in the book; much concerns the longing of the human heart, the figurative and literal groping with the opposite sex that is part of the coming of age process, and beyond. As in real life, the relationships can become complex and ambivalent, and Anderson even speculates on the nature of the solace his fictional mother may have been obtaining from the local doctor. Some reviewers were concerned that everything didn't tie together in the end - but I figure that is the essence of real life. In the conclusion, George Willard, just like the real life Sherwood Anderson, boards the train, and leaves town, seeking his place in the wider world. The irony is that the material for his finest writing was obtained during his first 18 years, in Clyde.
Much belated apologies, certainly for myself, as well as those 1-star reviewers, to the English teachers who tried in their Sisyphean task. Mea culpa. And thanks to my daughter for this solid 5-star read.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Jake Barnes
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I'm specifically reviewing the Signet Classic edition, which contains an afterward by none other than horror/suspense mega-star Dean Koontz. Koontz gives an intelligent, sober, and laudatory interpretation of both Anderson's life and career, and an interpretation of the text. The selection of Koontz, one of our most popular and commercial novelists, to talk about Winesburg, one of our most literary and un-commercial classics, peeked my interest to re-read Anderson's great book and read Koontz's comments.
I'm glad I did. Winesburg is full of wonderful loner characters that still resonate today. And Koontz's afterward shows that even the most popular and mainstream of American novelists still has one foot firmly rooted in the history of classic American literature. I think this is a wonderful lesson, especially for young people who wonder why they are "forced" to read books like Winesburg in school. For any of us who have felt misunderstood, felt odd, felt like an outsider; who have made mistakes, gone down, and never quite recovered; Winesburg is a sweet balm to soothe us. This book is as emotionally cathartic (probably more so) than any "entertainment" novel full of monsters, psychos, and killers. Koontz shows that while he writes one type of book, he can equally appreciate another. A good lesson. A great book.
I'm glad I did. Winesburg is full of wonderful loner characters that still resonate today. And Koontz's afterward shows that even the most popular and mainstream of American novelists still has one foot firmly rooted in the history of classic American literature. I think this is a wonderful lesson, especially for young people who wonder why they are "forced" to read books like Winesburg in school. For any of us who have felt misunderstood, felt odd, felt like an outsider; who have made mistakes, gone down, and never quite recovered; Winesburg is a sweet balm to soothe us. This book is as emotionally cathartic (probably more so) than any "entertainment" novel full of monsters, psychos, and killers. Koontz shows that while he writes one type of book, he can equally appreciate another. A good lesson. A great book.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Reader
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Stories in this book are all set in a small midwest town in Ohio. We all have our preconceptions about midwestern people, their attitudes, sensibilities and way of life. Author digs deep into their lives and psyche. By the time you finish this book, you will pretty much know about every member of this small community. People we learn about are lonely, damaged, with no prospects. They are molded by their upbringing and their first experiences in love and marriage. They all have regrets, yet they are too weak to break away and start new. It is up to young generations to try their lives outside of confines of a small city and whether or not they succeed no one will know until much, much later. These are deep stories and they will get you thinking about them for a long time after you are finished reading. An absolute classic of short american story literature.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing.
This is in a short story format and shows the reader insights into the people of the town. I found these characters to be weird, mentally ill, and unsavory. Read more
Published 12 days ago by linda mccarty
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice time filler but, not hard to put down
It is nice to read a short story every now and then but, this book is not super exciting. I like to take it on short plane rides because I can read a couple storys and not feel... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Umphfreak
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky and surprising-- in a good way
This collection of somewhat related short stories is an unusual vehicle, but one that hangs together quite well. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John C.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Small Ohio Town
This is the story of the small town of Winesburg, and the various inhabitants of it. They all have an interesting past, or secrets that they are hiding. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Black Plum
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky, Sad, Plotless, but an Interesting Read
Winesburg, Ohio is an interesting novel. And when I say interesting, I mean sort of quirky and definitely not your typical read. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Natalie
5.0 out of 5 stars
it's a helluva note
I've read this twice and each time came away thinking it was a gem of a book, among the best ever. Strange thing about memory though. Read more
Published 21 months ago by lapidaryblue
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Stunningly Real Achievement
This is stunningly good. The descriptions of Midwestern life are so breathtakingly real that you feel as though you know the characters in the book. Read more
Published 24 months ago by J. Smallridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intresting.
Few of the stories were intresting. I would not have read it had it not been for school though.
Published on September 6, 2010 by Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars
Winesburg Ohio
Book was received in a timely fashion in excellent condition. I would recommend this dealer. The story is a little strange and somewhat depressing so far, so why can't I put it... Read more
Published on July 25, 2010 by Bette Hubbard
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good reading
My lady friend likes to read a lot. Whenever she hints at what interests her I respond by consulting and buying from Amazon. It's an easy place to shop online. Read more
Published on July 23, 2010 by Jerry Rothschild
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 46
books:
See all 46 books this book cites
- Winesburg, Ohio (Bantam Classic) by Sherwood Anderson on 13 pages
- Sherwood Anderson: Early Writings by Ray Lewis White in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Poor White (Revived Modern Classic) by Sherwood Anderson in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- Sherwood Anderson by Irving Howe in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- Death in the Woods and Other Stories by Sherwood Anderson in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 46 books this book cites
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