A rich man's son loses everything and takes work in Chicago as a hand — and then, in October 1871, the city burns for three days. Roe was a Presbyterian minister and a chaplain at Gettysburg who came to see the ruins, decided the fire needed a novelist, and wrote his first book about it; it sold enormously and he never went back to the pulpit. The fire is eyewitness reporting.

A prosperous family loses everything, and the daughter goes out to work in a New York shop — where the hours, the standing and the manager between them do what the fire could not. Roe was a Presbyterian minister and a chaplain at Gettysburg who turned novelist after the Chicago fire and outsold every American of his decade; this 1881 novel is his attack on shop conditions and on the opium the doctors handed out for exhaustion.

New York, 1863: a girl who takes nothing on faith, three men in love with her, and the Draft Riots — five days in which the city tore itself apart and the mob hunted black New Yorkers through the streets. Roe was a Presbyterian minister and a chaplain at Gettysburg who turned novelist after the Chicago fire; he outsold every American novelist of his decade, and the riot chapters here are eyewitness history.

A widower with a farm needs a housekeeper, and a girl with nowhere to go needs a roof; they marry as a business arrangement, on terms, with the terms stated. Roe was a Presbyterian minister who had been a chaplain at Gettysburg and turned novelist after the Chicago fire; he outsold every American novelist of the 1870s, and the farming here is as carefully done as the courtship.

The story revolves around the character of Richard Vandermarck, a wealthy young man who marries Laura Romeyn, a woman he had previously admired from a distance but had never met. The marriage is arranged for financial and social reasons, and at the outset, it appears to be a marriage of convenience rather than love. However, as the title suggests, over the course of the novel, Richard falls deeply in love with his wife.The novel explores the dynamics of their marriage, the development of t...

Dennis Fleet is a hard-working and pious young Christian man who's come to the big city of Chicago in order to earn money for his poor family. As he braves his first icy winter, he quickly moves up the rungs of business until he finds himself working for the prosperous art dealer Mr. Ludolph. Ludolph's beautiful daughter Christine quickly catches Dennis's eye-but much to his chagrin, she's a non-believer.Roe, a Presbyterian minister from New York, was inspired to write Barriers...

The story revolves around the life of the protagonist, George Gaston, who is an ambitious and talented young artist. George is deeply in love with Mary Johnson, but he faces several challenges in his pursuit of a successful career and a future with Mary. One of his main rivals for Mary's affections is Edward Kemble, who is handsome and wealthy, providing a stark contrast to George's modest circumstances.The novel explores the romantic and professional rivalries between George and Edward, a...

The story follows the life of the protagonist, Neal Thornton, who begins as a carefree, humorous young man but gradually matures and becomes more earnest and responsible as the novel progresses. The title "From Jest to Earnest" alludes to this transformation. The novel explores themes of personal growth, responsibility, and the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by the characters as they navigate the complexities of life and society.Edward Payson Roe's works often addressed social and mor...

First serialized in the popular children's magazine St. Nicholas, Driven Back to Eden is a classic of the 19th-century "back-to-the-land" genre. In the preface, author Edward Payson Roe explains that he intended to write a realistic story that could serve as a practical and encouraging guide for families wishing to escape urban tenements for a healthier, more wholesome life in the country.For Robert Durham, a bookkeeper earning a modest salary, life in his crowded...

"The Home Acre" by Edward Payson Roe is a captivating novel that explores the themes of rural life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque countryside, the story follows the lives of its characters as they navigate the challenges of farming and personal relationships. Roe's vivid descriptions of nature and the struggles of agrarian life create an immersive experience for readers, allowing them to appreciate the beauty and hardships of rural existence....

The story is set in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York and revolves around the experiences of the main character, Phil and his family. Phil is a young, ambitious farmer who, after the death of his father, takes on the responsibility of managing the family farm and providing for his mother and siblings. The novel follows Phil's struggles to improve the farm and provide for his family in the midst of adversity.The title, "Driven Back to Eden," suggests the novel's theme of returnin...

The story in "A Day of Fate" is set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. It follows the lives of several characters whose paths intersect on a fateful day, each dealing with their own personal struggles, loyalties, and decisions during a time of great national conflict. The novel explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the impact of war on individuals and their communities.Edward Payson Roe was known for his novels that often addressed social and moral issues of his time. "A Day...