From the Land of the Snow-Pearls: Tales from Puget Sound

"From the Land of the Snow-Pearls: Tales from Puget Sound" by Ella Higginson is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The book is likely to explore life in the Puget Sound region, characterized by vivid descriptions of its natural beauty and personal narratives that highlight the lives of its inhabitants. The opening story introduces Demaris, a young woman who struggles with familial obligations and her own desires for social engagement. The opening portion of the book reveals the complexities of Demaris's life as she navigates her responsibilities toward her ill mother while yearning for independence and social experiences. When she plans to go on a moonlight excursion, her excitement is quashed by her mother's sudden illness, which demands her attention. The narrative captures both the weight of familial duty and the fleeting moments of youth, presenting a poignant dichotomy as Demaris grapples with her longing for freedom against the backdrop of her family's needs. Amidst the trials, interactions with other characters, such as her concerned friend and a hopeful suitor, further deepen the emotional tension and foreshadow the challenges she will continue to face. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ella Rhoads Higginson was an American author of award-winning fiction, poetry, and essays characteristically set in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She was the author of 2 collections of short stories, 6 books of poetry, a novel, a travel book, well over 100 short stories, over 400 poems, and hundreds of newspaper essays. She was influential for the ways her writing drew international attention to the then little-known Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She served as an officer of the Pacific Coast Women's Press Association.