Sally of Missouri

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23391

Title

Sally of Missouri

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Bruce Steering, a disillusioned New Yorker, travels to the Ozarks of Missouri seeking a new life. He finds himself captivated by the rugged landscape and the spirited Miss Sally Madeira. This tale of romance and redemption explores the tension between urban ambition and rural simplicity, ultimately celebrating the transformative power of the American West.

Summary up to 500 words

In Rose E. Young's *Sally of Missouri*, the narrative follows Bruce Steering, a former Yale graduate and New York speculator who leaves his lonely bachelor life to prospect for zinc and lead in the isolated Ozarks. Arriving in the rugged Tigmore Hills, Steering encounters the harsh yet welcoming reality of the region. Along the lonely ridge roads, locals speak with awe of a town called Canaan and a remarkable woman, Miss Sally Madeira. Steering eventually meets Sally, a vibrant, educated, and physically strong woman living with her stern father, Crittenton Madeira. Despite Steering's practical motivations, he falls deeply in love with Sally. However, a significant obstacle arises: Crittenton disapproves of Steering due to his Eastern background and lack of established wealth in the region. The story follows Steering's internal struggle as he attempts to reconcile his love with his father's objections and his own need to prove himself as a man of substance. He works tirelessly, eventually helping to establish the Canaan Mining and Development Company. The narrative culminates in a celebration of the new mill, where Steering addresses the community, declaring that a new Missouri is being made and that their dreams are coming true. In the end, Steering and Sally are united, and they prepare to leave for the East to show their success to friends. The story concludes with a poignant farewell to the land that claimed him, as Steering embraces the identity of a Missourian. The novel blends elements of frontier romance with social commentary on the development of the West, highlighting themes of love, perseverance, and the clash between old-world conventions and new-world opportunities.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg23391.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction