
audiobook
The story follows Henry Calverly as he steps into his twentieth year, a young man far from the polished hero of conventional tales. He is marked by vanity, selfish moments, and a restless curiosity that keeps him from settling into any easy pattern. Amid the bustle of Sunbury, Illinois, his daily routine collides with a cast of familiar yet unconventional figures—Martha, Corinne, and Mamie—each pulling him in different directions. The narrative treats his flaws with humor and honesty, hinting at a latent genius that may yet shape his future.
As Henry boards the early‑morning train bound for Chicago, the listener is drawn into the texture of small‑town life and the subtle tensions of his relationships, especially the tangled romance with Mildred and the lingering influence of his Uncle Arthur. The opening promises a candid, episodic journey through a formative year where choices are messy, ambitions are tentative, and the promise of growth looms just beyond the horizon.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (503K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by the Internet Archive
Release date
2016-05-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1874–1936
An American novelist and playwright, he wrote popular fiction, collaborated with Henry Kitchell Webster, and brought a journalist’s eye to subjects as varied as industry, politics, and social change. His career also included magazine editing and a reporting trip to China to investigate the opium trade.
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