David Harum

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

David Harum

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in rural New York, this novel follows the shrewd, humorous, and philanthropic country banker David Harum. Blending social realism with local color, it explores small-town life, business ethics, and human nature through Harum's unique perspective and his interactions with neighbors, all delivered with a witty, dialect-rich voice.

Summary up to 500 words

Edward Noyes Westcott's *David Harum* presents a vivid, genre-rich portrait of late nineteenth-century rural America, specifically the central New York region. The narrative centers on David Harum, a self-made country banker in the fictional village of Homeville. Introduced as dry, somewhat illiterate, and possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of local affairs rather than printed books, Harum serves as both a comic figure and a moral anchor. His philosophy is grounded in a cheerful belief in human goodness, often summarized by his own aphorism that one should do unto others as they would like to be done to them, and do it first. The novel weaves together Harum's shrewd business dealings in horse trading and banking with a significant love story involving John Lenox and Mary Hartleigh. Their romance is complicated by a misunderstanding on a ship to Naples, where John mistakes Mary for her married friend, Mrs. Ruggles. After a tense revelation in the Villa Violante, they reconcile, realizing that Mary is not Mrs. Ruggles but Mary Blake, who had taken her friend's ticket due to a family emergency. They eventually reunite in Homeville. Harum's character is defined by his ability to navigate legal disputes and his deep-seated kindness. A pivotal moment occurs when he forgives a long-standing debt owed by the widow of his former friend, Billy P. Cullom. Harum reveals that the debt was actually a small investment made by Billy years ago, which had accumulated interest over forty years. Harum decides to wipe the slate clean, explaining that he is paying off an old score owed to Billy, who had once treated the lonely, abused Harum with kindness. This act exemplifies the novel's themes of honesty, redemption, and the complexities of human nature. Westcott captures the distinct atmosphere of central New York through dialect and local customs, creating an authentic depiction of ordinary people. The story balances humor with serious social observation, portraying a community where sharp-tongued individuals are also honest and philanthropic. The novel concludes with Harum's continued vitality and the happy resolution of the love story, celebrating the resilience and humor found in everyday life. Westcott, who passed away shortly after finishing the book, left a work that stands as a permanent addition to American literary portraits, focusing on the realistic portrayal of American life and manners rather than complex plotting.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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