Hello towns!

by Sherwood Anderson

This early work by Sherwood Anderson was originally published in 1929 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Hello Towns' is a collection of newspaper articles written by the author. In 1908, Anderson began writing short stories and novels. He moved to Chicago, where he found work in an advertising agency and became friends with other writers in Chicago, including Floyd Dell, Theodore Dreiser, Ben Hecht and Carl Sandburg. Starting in 1914, the now-politicised Anderson began having his work published in 'The Masses', a socialist journal. Anderson's first novel, 'Windy McPherson's Son', was published in 1916. This was followed by the novel 'Marching Men' (1917) and a collection of prose poems, 'Mid-American Chants' (1918). A year later, 'Winesburg, Ohio' (1919), Anderson's best-remembered and best-known work, was published.

339 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Often autobiographical, works of American writer Sherwood Anderson include Winesburg, Ohio (1919).

He supported his family and consequently never finished high school. He successfully managed a paint factory in Elyria before 1912 and fathered three children with the first of his four wives. In 1912, Anderson deserted his family and job.

In early 1913, he moved to Chicago, where he devoted more time to his imagination. He broke with considered materialism and convention to commit to art as a consequently heroic model for youth.

Mainly know for his short stories, most notably the collection Winesburg, Ohio. One can hear its profound influence on fiction in Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Faulkner, Thomas Clayton Wolfe, John Ernst Steinbeck, and Erskine Preston Caldwell.

Most important book collects 22 stories. The stories explore the inhabitants of a fictional version of Clyde, the small farm town, where Anderson lived for twelve early years. These tales made a significant break with the traditional short story. Instead of emphasizing plot and action, Anderson used a simple, precise, unsentimental style to reveal the frustration, loneliness, and longing in the lives of his characters. The narrowness of Midwestern small-town life and their own limitations stunt these characters.

Despite no wholly successful novel, Anderson composed several classic short stories. He influenced Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and the coming generation.

Reviews

[Dustincecil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting.

Sherwood Anderson, bought a weekly newspaper and worked as editor for a year. ( even if this isn't true?) it's was a nice read.

Anderson talks a lot about this thoughts on being a writer, or in his words " a scribbler". He also talks about falling in love-falling out of love, horses, travel, youth,cats, and even a little corn.

We get a quick and clear shapshot here of what it must feel like to be a writer, compelled to get words on paper, and to tell stories. It's almost enough to make one sit up a little straighter, and try to live more right- because you never know when a writer may be watching you.

[Oakley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hello Towns is another side of Anderson. He bought a farm in rural Va. and decided to buy the both town papers (republican and democrat) as well. This is a care free compilation of those writings. It can get a bit dry, but that is what makes it unique. The author has to report on the most mundane matters and try to add some life to them. After the 50th report on the decisions at a local Kiwanis meeting or events at a bake sale you can really feel what it would be like to live in a small town with nothing going on. Anderson also creates a character called "Buck Fever", an 'everyman' from a nearby holler, who writes a column that satirizes the town, it's citizens and Anderson himself.

[AC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taken from his work with a couple of newspapers (it consists of essays/articles and some accompanying photographs), this is roughly a makeshift documentation of poor and rural America and Americans in and around the depression era. It succeeds as a casual read for some snippets of life but it isn't concentrated enough to be a collection of essays nor focused enough to server as a commentary of any sorts.

[Michael Staat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book is sadly out of print, much like Sherwood's other works. This one's certainly a unique work. The book is a contemplation of Anderson's articles he wrote for a small-town newspaper he owned. He manages to breathe some life into even the most mundane of news. I wouldn't go out of my way to find this book, but it certainly is a fascinating one. Fascinating portrait of a small town and it's people.

[MERM · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to take this book for what it is and not for what it's not. It's not a novel. Don't expect to be swept away by rich characters and outrageous plot lines. If you appreciate everything that Sherwood Anderson did for American Literature, READ THIS BOOK. It is the prime example why Anderson is the most unaffected writer America has ever produced. His editorials are gold.