The Coast of Bohemia

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22297

Title

The Coast of Bohemia

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in New York's bohemian art circles, this novel follows Cornelia Saunders, a young woman from a rural background who moves to the city to study art. Navigating the complexities of her marriage to the impressionist painter Ludlow, her friendship with the spirited Charmian, and the return of a former suitor, the story explores themes of artistic integrity, social class, and the tension between romantic ideals and domestic reality.

Summary up to 500 words

William Dean Howells' *The Coast of Bohemia* offers a veridical and nuanced portrait of the artistic community in late 19th-century New York, contrasting the vibrant, chaotic world of the 'coast' with the traditional values of the 'inland.' The narrative centers on Cornelia Saunders, a young woman from Pymantoning County who moves to the city to pursue art under the mentorship of her friend Charmian Maybough. In the city, Cornelia marries Ludlow, a talented but volatile impressionist painter struggling to reconcile his French-influenced style with American subjects. The novel delves into the social dynamics of the 'Synthesis,' an art school where students and artists mingle, exploring the nature of marriage, the role of women in the arts, and the difficulty of maintaining artistic purity in a commercial society. Cornelia faces significant challenges when her former acquaintance, Mr. Dickerson, reappears. This encounter forces her to confront her past and assert her independence against a man who represents the less savory side of her hometown history. Meanwhile, Ludlow's artistic career fluctuates; his controversial painting 'Hollyhocks,' which ambiguously blends figures with flowers, draws sharp criticism from the art world, causing friction with his supportive wife. Howells uses these conflicts to examine the 'droll American civilization,' presenting a story that balances humor and pathos. Through the eyes of his characters, he depicts a generation seeking its own identity while grappling with tradition and modernity, ultimately keeping the story within the 'sweet, pure breath of the sea' rather than venturing into the darker corners of the city.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Regional Fiction