Deephaven and Selected Stories & Sketches

by Sarah Orne Jewett

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2012

About the author

Sarah Orne Jewett was an American novelist and short story writer, best known for her local color works set in or near South Berwick, Maine, on the border of New Hampshire, which in her day was a declining New England seaport.

Reviews

[Diane Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories were written earlier in Jewett ' s career, and do not reach the level of maturity and talent of "Country of the Pointed Firs." But they are sweet, poignant stories of (mostly older) women living, quiet, uneventful lives.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

These short stories and sketches are among Jewett's earlier work and indeed, they read as if they were written by a developing writer. Jewett's strongest writing in this collection describes the countryside. Some pieces read like she lost the thread of the idea or is writing a list. "Deephaven," the title novella is the best of the group. "Tom's Husband," the story of a couple who decide to reverse roles in the late 1800's shows her potential. The title is an interesting choice. Tom, the husband, becomes a stay-at-home housekeeper while his wife goes off to successfully manage the family mill. Eventually the husband gets bored at home and whisks his wife off to a holiday in Europe. There the story ends. Jewett recognized the strictures of convention placed on 19th century women but did not fully develop the idea. Or she did the best she could at the time in which she lived. This story may have led her to write, The Country Doctor.

[E.d. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the country of pointed firs but still worth reading. Stand out sketches include Tom's husband and miss Chauncey. I wish I could hang out with Kate and Helen. They're so nosy and snoopy.

[Helen Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some terrific short stories in this collection.

[Jeffrey Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic text of local focal history.

[Bruce Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow moving, impressionistic, sketches of life in coastal Maine. The tide seems to have gone out economically and all that's left is nature and memories. Sailor's tales and maritime accidents seem to pepper the stories. Both Henry James and Rudyard Kipling were fans.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful character sketches. Not a novel