Owen Wister

In "The Pentecost of Calamity," Owen Wister crafts a vivid narrative that intertwines themes of existential crisis, societal upheaval, and moral resilience in the face of adversity. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America, the novel employs a rich literary style characterized by Wisters masterful use of dialogue and descriptive prose that brings the characters and their struggles to life. The literary context of the timemarked by rapid modernization and the disintegration of traditional valuesserves as both a catalyst and a crucible for the characters transformations throughout the story. Owen Wister, renowned as a precursor to Western literature, drew from his personal experiences and observations of American society to write this seminal work. The author, who was deeply influenced by his encounters with the American West and the cultural tensions of his era, reflects on themes of calamity and redemption that resonate throughout his oeuvre. His background as a member of the educated elite, grappling with the burgeoning modern world, undoubtedly shaped the philosophical underpinnings of this novel. Readers are encouraged to delve into "The Pentecost of Calamity" not just for its engaging plot, but for its profound exploration of human resilience amidst chaos. Wisters work invites reflection on the complexities of moral choices in times of crisis, making it a timeless read for those interested in the intersections of literature and the socio-cultural landscape.

In the untamed West, pioneers came to test their fortunes -- and their wills. The Wyoming territory was a harsh, unforgiving land, with its own unwritten code of honor by which men lived and died. Into this rough landscape rides the Virginian, a solitary man whose unbending will is his only guide through life. The Virginians unwavering beliefs in right and wrong are soon tested as he tries to prove his love for a woman who cannot accept his sense of justice; at the same time, a betrayal by his most trusted friend forces him to fight against the corruption that rules the land. Still as exciting and meaningful as it was when first published one hundred years ago, Owen Wisters epic tale of a man caught between his love for a woman and his quest for justice exemplifies one of the most significant and enduring themes in all of American literature. With remarkable character depth and vivid passages, The Virginian stands not only as the first great novel of American Western literature, but as a testament to the eternal struggle between good and evil in humanity...

Set against the sprawling backdrop of the American West, Owen Wisters "The Virginian" is a seminal work that blends elements of romance, adventure, and the emerging American identity in the late 19th century. Written in a distinctive conversational style punctuated with local dialect, Wisters narrative follows a nameless cowboy whose journey reflects the complexities of honor, personal ethics, and the rugged individualism associated with frontier life. The novel is characterized by its vivid depictions of the landscape and the intricacies of cowboy culture, positioning it as a foundational text in the Western literary genre. Owen Wister, often regarded as the father of the Western novel, was deeply influenced by his experiences in Wyoming, where he spent time at a cattle ranch. His interactions with the local ranchers and cowboys forged a profound appreciation for their way of life, which informed the authenticity and depth of the characters in "The Virginian." Wisters connections to prominent literary figures of his time, combined with his education at Harvard, also shaped his narrative style and thematic focus. This novel is highly recommended for readers interested in American literature, history, and the archetypal cowboy figure. Wisters creation not only encapsulates the spirit of the West but also serves as a critical commentary on the values and dilemmas faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. "The Virginian" offers a compelling exploration of identity and morality, making it an essential read for scholars and enthusiasts of the Western genre.

Illustrator: Frederic Remington

Contents: / The Jimmyjohn Boss / A Kinsman of Red Cloud / Sharons Choice / Napoleon Shave-Tail / Twenty Minutes for Refreshments / The Promised Land / Hanks Woman / Padre Ignazio

Owen Wisters "The Jimmyjohn Boss, and Other Stories" is a compelling collection that encapsulates the essence of the American West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wisters narrative style is characterized by vivid imagery and keen psychological insights, drawing readers into the rugged landscapes and complex lives of his characters. Through a series of interlinked stories, he explores themes of masculinity, honor, and the often tumultuous relationship between man and nature, all while utilizing the vernacular and cultural nuances of the cowboy archetype. Wister, a pioneer of Western fiction and a close observer of American life, was influenced by his own experiences in the West. His travels and interactions with cowboys provided authentic insights that shaped his literary voice, allowing him to transcend mere storytelling to offer a reflective critique of society. Wisters connections to prominent figures such as Theodore Roosevelt also illuminate the historical context behind his writing, as he sought to capture an era of change in the American landscape. This collection is a must-read for those interested in American literature and the evolution of the Western genre. Wisters deft exploration of character and place invites readers to reflect on the complexities of frontier life, making it a significant contribution to both literary and historical studies.

The Virginian (1902) is Owen Wister's classic popular romance, and the most significant shaping influence on cowboy fiction. Its narrator, fresh from the East, encounters in Wyoming cattle country a strange, seductive and often violent land where the handsome figure of the Virginian battles for supremacy with Trampas and other ne'er-do-wells. His courtship of the genteel Vermont schoolteacher, Molly Wood, is a humourously observed battle of the sexes, demonstrating that the 'customs of the country' must eventually prevail. Rich in vernacular wit and portraying a romanticized escape from the decorum of the patrician East, The Virginian exudes a sense of redemptive possibility, drawing on Wister's experience of a summer spent on a Wyoming ranch in 1895. This edition includes Wister's neglected essay, 'The Evolution of the Cow-Puncher' (1895), a revealing companion to a novel that has disturbing undercurrents.

Illustrator: John Stewardson

Lady Baltimore, il dolce tipico degli Stati Uniti del Sud, e? il piatto con cui il giovane Augustus viene accolto a Kings Port (versione fittizia di Charleston, nel South Carolina).Ma per Augustus, proveniente dal Nord abolizionista e uscito vincitore dalla Guerra di Secessione, non sara? facile limpatto con il Sud nostalgico e segregazionista; eppure il contatto con il calore e lintensita? dei sentimenti di Kings Port lo indurra? a rivedere le proprie posizioni.Sotto la parvenza di una storia damore contrastata, e con uno stile brillante e ironico, si nasconde una amara analisi di un Paese ancora diviso dalle conseguenze della guerra civile e dai contrasti razziali, e in cui ritroviamo le contraddizioni ancora presenti nellAmerica di oggi.Con una prefazione di Elisabetta Marino.

A collection of Western short stories by Owen Wister. THE JIMMYJOHN BOSS (excerpt)One day at Nampa, which is in Idaho, a ruddy old massive jovial man stood by the Silver City stage, patting his beard with his left hand, and with his right the shoulder of a boy who stood beside him. He had come with the boy on the branch train from Boise, because he was a careful German and liked to say everything twicetwice at least when it was a matter of business. This was a matter of very particular business, and the German had repeated himself for nineteen miles. Presently the east-bound on the main line would arrive from Portland; then the Silver City stage would take the boy south on his new mission, and the man would journey by the branch train back to Boise. From Boise no one could say where he might not go, west or east. He was a great and pervasive cattle man in Oregon, California, and other places. Vogel and Lexeven to-day you may hear the two ranch partners spoken of. So the veteran Vogel was now once more going over his notions and commands to his youthful deputy during the last precious minutes until the east-bound should arrive.Und if only you haf someding like dis, said the old man, as he tapped his beard and patted the boy, it would be five hoondert more dollars salary in your liddle pants.The boy winked up at his employer. He had a gray, humorous eye; he was slim and alert, like a sparrow-hawkthe sort of boy his father openly rejoices in and his mother is secretly in prayer over. Only, this boy had neither father nor mother. Since the age of twelve he had looked out for himself, never quite without bread, sometimes attaining champagne, getting along in his American way variously, on horse or afoot, across regions of wide plains and mountains, through towns where not a soul knew his name. He closed one of his gray eyes at his employer, and beyond this made no remark.Vat you mean by dat vink, anyhow? demanded the elder.Say, said the boy, confidentiallyhonest now. How about you and me? Five hundred dollars if I had your beard. Youve got a record and Ive got a future. And my blooms on me rich, without a scratch. How many dollars you gif me for dat bloom? The sparrow-hawk sailed into a freakish imitation of his master...Owen Wister (July 14, 1860 July 21, 1938) was an American writer, historian and "father" of western fiction. He is best remembered for writing The Virginian and a biography of Ulysses S. Grant. He began his literary work in 1891. Wister had spent several summers out in the American West, making his first trip to Wyoming in 1885. Like his friend Teddy Roosevelt, Wister was fascinated with the culture, lore and terrain of the region. On an 1893 visit to Yellowstone, Wister met the western artist Frederic Remington; who remained a lifelong friend. When he started writing, he naturally inclined towards fiction set on the western frontier. Wisters most famous work remains the 1902 novel The Virginian, the loosely constructed story of a cowboy who is a natural aristocrat, set against a highly mythologized version of the Johnson County War and taking the side of the large land owners. This is widely regarded as being the first cowboy novel and was reprinted fourteen times in eight months. The book was written in the library of The Philadelphia Club, where Wister was a member, and is dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt.In 1904 Wister collaborated with Kirke La Shelle on a successful stage adaptation of The Virginian that featured Dustin Farnum in the title role.Farnum reprised the role ten years later in Cecil B. DeMilles film adaptation of the play.He was a member of several literary societies and was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University.

Welcome to the Essential Novelists book series, were we present to you the best works of remarkable authors.For this book, the literary critic August Nemo has chosen the two most important and meaningful novels of Owen Wister which are The Virginian and Lady Baltimore.Owen Wister was an American writer and historian, considered the "father" of western fiction. His most famous work remains the 1902 novel The Virginian, a complex mixture of persons, places and events dramatized from experience, word of mouth, and his own imagination ultimately creating the archetypal cowboy. This is widely regarded as being the first cowboy novel.Novels selected for this book:The Virginian.Lady Baltimore.This is one of many books in the series Essential Novelists. If you liked this book, look for the other titles in the series, we are sure you will like some of the authors.