The House by Eugene Field

"The House" by Eugene Field is a humorous and introspective novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Reuben Baker, an astronomer, and his wife Alice as they embark on the long-anticipated adventure of purchasing a home. The narrative combines humor and poignant reflections on the desires, dreams, and challenges faced by couples as they seek to establish a family home, revealing the universal pursuit of a place to call their own. The opening of the novel introduces the Bakerds' wistful aspirations to own a home, a dream that has matured over years of planning and hope. It portrays Reuben's initial enthusiasm for a grand cottage, only to confront the realities of their financial limitations after a disappointing inheritance from Aunt Susan. As they navigate various locations and their ideal home evolves into a more modest version, Alice's excitement and determination ultimately lead her to buy the old Schmittheimer place without consulting Reuben, showcasing her personal agency and the dynamic of their relationship. The chapters set the stage for exploring the humorous complications and heartwarming moments that come with home ownership, reflecting the bittersweet journey of domestic life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Field, Eugene, 1850-1895
Title The House
An Episode in the Lives of Reuben Baker, Astronomer, and of His Wife, Alice
Credits E-text prepared by Al Haines
Reading Level Reading ease score: 64.1 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Humorous stories
Subject Home ownership -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 21808
Release Date
Last Update Jan 2, 2021
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 478 downloads in the last 30 days.

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