Constance Fenimore Woolson: Homeward Bound

by Sharon L. Dean

Dean (English, Rivier College, New Hampshire) examines Woolson's (1840-1894) novels and short stories, focusing on how her work illustrates late 19th century attitudes about a variety of cultural issues including art, women's rights, and the nexus of social class, race relations, and ethnicity. Also examined are how Woolson's transient lifestyle and progressive deafness isolated her from family and friends and Woolson's friendship with Henry James and his family. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Sharon L. Dean grew up in Massachusetts where she was immersed in the literature of New England. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of New Hampshire, a state she lived and taught in before moving to Oregon. Although she has given up writing scholarly books that require footnotes, she incorporates much of her academic research as background in her mysteries. She is the author of three Susan Warner mysteries and three Deborah Strong mysteries. Her collection Six Old Women and Other Stories explores settings in New Hampshire. Leaving Freedom has been re-released in June 2023 along with a sequel, Finding Freedom. Dean continues to write about New England while she is discovering the beauty of the West.