Sherwood Anderson Forum

Sherwood Anderson

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Has anybody read "Winesburg, OH?" I read this collection of intertwined short stories in an American Lit class in college 25+ years ago. I never read it again for some reason, but I still remember many of the stories' details. I'm not sure why it has a hold on me, or why I've been resistant to read it again. Maybe it's taken on a life of its own in my mind, and that I only selectively recall what I want to remember from the stories. Perhaps I think I'll be disappointed that my memories are not backed up by the actual narrative. A salient theme that winds through the stories involves people being frustrated by not being able to reach the potential that they think they should have reached, and the sadness that results from that.

- RR

>>By RedRules41 (Tuesday, 10 Apr 2012 03:57)

you're right about the frustrated small town denizen, much akin to Masters' "Spoon River Anthology"...stylistically the line runs from Anderson to Hemingway to Faulkner...Anderson is a neglected master...also great short story writer (influenced Ring Lardner)...the "Portable Sherwood Anderson" is a required purchase

>>By joemanygoats (Wednesday, 18 Apr 2012 17:17)

I need to read Spoon River. Ashamed to say I never have. I remember reading that Masters became persona non grata among his hometown folk when they realized how many common-knowledge secrets he was willing to expose and write about. Not sure how I feel about that. Maybe small towns deserve to keep some of their secrets, the same way we allow individuals to. -RR

>>By RedRules41 (Wednesday, 25 Apr 2012 05:43)

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