William Dean Howells (1837-1920) wrote novels, plays, essays, poems, reviews and travel pieces that touched on every day people and their experiences. A prime example of Howell's realism is this 1890 novel; it is a psychologically probing reflection on social and personal upheaval in the nineteenth century, which the author considered to be his "most vital" book. The story interweaves themes, plots and characters in New York City and projects Howells personal attitudes on employers, feminism and marriage, among others.
