
THE LADY OF THE AROOSTOOK - By William Dean Howells
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In a quiet farmhouse perched on the hills of northern Massachusetts, an elderly couple sits in the best room of the house, their lives measured by simple routines and the soft hum of summer. Their conversation turns to Lyddy, the young girl who has spent her formative years under their roof, and the uneasy prospect of her departing for a distant relative’s home. The gentle, homespun dialogue reveals a tender mix of pride, worry, and the inevitable pull of change that colors every small-town existence.
The narrative captures the rustle of lilac‑perfumed breezes, the clatter of farm chores, and the unspoken hopes that accompany a youthful heart on the brink of a new chapter. As the parents wrestle with the idea of letting go, a quiet anticipation builds, hinting at the possibilities and challenges that await Lyddy beyond the familiar fields. Listeners are drawn into a world where love, duty, and the rhythm of rural life intertwine, setting the stage for an intimate coming‑of‑age journey.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (415K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Eric Eldred, Earle Beach, David Widger and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2005-03-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1837–1920
A leading voice of American literary realism, he helped shape the way everyday life was written into fiction. His stories and criticism made him one of the most influential men of letters in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century.
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by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells

by William Dean Howells