Peter: A Novel of Which He Is Not the Hero

by Francis Hopkinson Smith, Arthur I. Keller (Illustrator)

1912. Smith had several careers: engineer, artist, illustrator and short story writer. His success in engineering included planning the foundations for the Statue of Liberty. He traveled frequently to Europe and became known for his portraits and illustration. Smith was an entertaining after-dinner storyteller and in his fifties he decided to commit his stories to paper and is remembered for his Colonel Carter novels. The book begins: Peter was still poring over his ledger one dark afternoon in December, his bald head glistening like a huge ostrich egg under the flare of the overhead gas jets, when Patrick, the night watchman, catching sight of my face peering through the outer grating, opened the door of the Bank. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

Genres: Fiction

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1908

About the author

Francis Hopkinson Smith (October 23, 1838 – April 7, 1915) was a United States author, artist and engineer. He built the foundation for the Statue of Liberty, wrote many famous stories and received awards for his paintings.

Reviews

[Jo Bailey]

Found a 1908 edition at DI for $1. Title is catchy! The only thing I know about it is this description:

"Frances Hopkinson Smith's family-oriented tale Peter: A Novel of Which He Is Not the Hero (1908) is the story of a bank worker and his interfering sister, Felicia, who visits him in New York each winter. It also portrays the nuptials of their nephew and niece, Ruth and Jack. The work examines the increasing materialism and changing attitudes of people at the turn of the 20th century and suggests that the affection and support of family elders plays a pivotal role in young peoples' lives."

OK - so "family-oriented tale" and "suggests that the affection and support of family elders plays a pivotal role in young peoples' lives" sure puts this book in the "hurry and read me" category.

[L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elder Peter Grayson takes young Jack Breen under his wing and steers the lad away from the evils of Wall Street towards the purity of menial labor. Because it's better to work for The Man than to be The Man.

So sayeth this book.

[Karen]

Title should say In which he is not the Hero.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so easy to give this book 5 stars. Reading works like this can turn a miserable day into a heavenly one. wonderful characters with everyone getting what they deserve, just how real life is MOST of the time. Ok, ok, I will not remember it a week from now but I will be in a better mood for the next few days. But then again, I may remember Peter for quite a long time. May look for people around me with similar character . I am sure they exist right under our noses. We only need to open our eyes. Yes, I will remember this book.