Widger's Quotations from the Project Gutenberg Editions of the Works of William Dean Howells

This listening collection gathers a wide variety of memorable passages from the prolific American writer known for his keen observations of literary life. The selections come from essays, travel sketches, criticism, short stories, and several novels, offering a mosaic of his thoughts on everything from New England scenery to the habits of fellow authors. Curated by a bibliophile, the excerpts follow the order of the original works, preserving context.

Each short segment invites the listener to hear Howells' gentle humor, his balanced judgments, and his affection for the cultural currents of his time. You’ll hear his reflections on figures like Henry James, Mark Twain, and Oliver Wendell Holmes, as well as vivid descriptions of Boston, New York, and the quiet New England towns that shaped his world. The result is a compact, engaging portrait of a writer who blended criticism with personal memoir.

The compilation offers an accessible entry point for listeners curious about late‑19th‑century American letters, delivering a concise taste of his style in a brief literary interlude. Ideal for a short listening session.