William Dean Howells is best known as one of America's first man of letters regarding his contributions to literature in America. He writes a story about the March family who leave their beloved Boston to New York City. Mrs. March was hesitant and apprehensive about such a move. She hates New York City. Over the time, her husband has a tremendous business opportunity in creating a magazine entitled Every Other Week. Howells does an excellent job in description of life in that era. He also brings in characters like Alma Leighton, Dryfoos, and Fulkerson who owns the magazine. With the money, the March make the enormous move to another strange city. There Mrs. March learns to adapt and enjoy her life as New Yorker, their son and daughter also learn to enjoy life in the big apple. Unfortunately, the father, Mr. March has to deal with a difficult employer and a group of employees with a lot more character that we soon realize as the book gets into it. The book is an American masterpiece and I am happy to be re-reading it for pleasure rather than for a college class entitled American Novel but it should have been retitled American Masterpieces. This book is an American Masterpiece and William Dean Howells should be much more well-known to audiences.

Unless you took a good American Literature survey course, you probably never heard of or remember the author, William Dean Howles. After reading A Hazard of New Fortunes, you will both remember him and recommend the book and may want to read his other work.