A literary gem that intricately weaves together the lives of the town’s residents, exposing the complexities of human connection and isolation. Anderson’s character sketches are vivid and emotionally resonant, providing a profound exploration of the human condition. The narrative’s melancholic tone and the interwoven stories create a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of small-town life. A classic that invites readers to reflect on the universal struggles of identity, love, and the search for meaning. Highly recommended for those seeking a deep and introspective journey through the heart of Middle America.
If anyone has read this I would be interested to know your take on this novella - in particular your thoughts on the character Wing Biddlebaum in the short story “Hands”, was he a homosexual? Or just misunderstood or both??
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Have you read Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters? It’s poetry, but it’s written as epitaphs for all the members of the town. As you read the poems you get to see all the relationships, secret and public, the points of view of husbands and wives, it’s a lot like Winesburg in that sense but was written earlier.
Great book!
In junior year we had a really inflammatory and eccentric teacher who was beloved by students and hated by parents and he assigned this work to us. He particularly focused on the story Hands which felt very telling, especially since he got flak for talking too openly about sex with the students.
He never really intentionally crossed the line and seemed to just wish he was teaching college kids rather than high schoolers but he certainly made some kids uncomfortable, but for the most part he was loved for being funny and candid. I sort of see Wing in Hands like that, as I remember. He shouldn’t be so touchy with the students but he also doesn’t come off as a pedo, just naive in how his actions will come across. However I haven’t read the story in a long time.
I wonder if the teacher identified with Wing? At best Wing is a harmless outsider that has a deep desire to validate his physical existence through touch or his penchant to touch has a sexual element - albeit this could be the manifestation of a subconscious desire that Wing doesn’t fully realise and or understand. I’m inclined to think it is sexual but in a naive innocent way. Either way, he’s a tragic character.
I’ll recommend it. Excellent 20th century American literature that’s not as much in fashion anymore, but deserves attention.