The Landlord at Lion's Head — Volume 2

"The Landlord at Lion's Head — Volume 2" by William Dean Howells is a novel set in the late 19th century, continuing the story begun in the first volume. The narrative centers around the Durgin family, particularly focusing on the dynamics and relationships that unfold as they await the return of Jackson, the son who has gone away but maintains correspondence with them, especially with Cynthia, a significant character in their lives. At the start of the book, we find Jackson's mother, Mrs. Durgin, eagerly waiting for news from her son, who writes to her regularly from afar. The opening portion unfolds in the midst of a harsh winter where letters are a critical means of connection. As the family navigates their daily life, we see various interactions, including playful exchanges with Jombateeste, who delivers letters, and reflections on the relationships between the characters, such as the tension regarding Jeff Durgin and his future aspirations. The scene is set for exploring themes of family ties, social class, and personal ambitions against the backdrop of the changing norms of the period. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Dean Howells was an American realist novelist, literary critic, and playwright, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria, and the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day," which was adapted into a 1996 film of the same name.