Deephaven and Selected Stories and Sketches

by Sarah Orne Jewett

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

182 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2005

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