In "A Young Girl's Wooing," Edward Payson Roe crafts a narrative that intricately weaves themes of love, societal expectation, and personal growth through the eyes of its youthful protagonist. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century America, the novel employs a vivid descriptive style characteristic of Roe's works, blending romance with elements of domestic realism. Roe's exploration of courtship dynamics and gender roles reflects the prevailing social mores of his time, effectively captu...

In "Barriers Burned Away," Edward Payson Roe intertwines themes of faith, love, and social justice within the backdrop of a post-Civil War America. The narrative explores the struggles of its characters as they navigate the complexities of class distinction and moral integrity, employing an accessible yet poignant literary style that reflects the sentimental tradition of the 19th century. Roe's vivid descriptions and character-driven plot invite readers to contemplate the societal barriers...

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 New York City flat has ...

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 an army chaplain in the Civil War 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. Fifty-five plates of farm scenes, harvests and farmyards by painters including Winslow Homer and Eastman...

A New York man of fashion, bored and ill, goes to his family's old place in the Hudson Highlands, now owned by his father's friend Walton, and finds there a daughter of the house who manages everyone and does not need rescuing. Roe was a Presbyterian minister and a Civil War chaplain who turned novelist after the Chicago fire and outsold every American of his decade; the burr of the title is what has to be opened, and it is not hers. Sixty paintings of the Hudson Highlands and the Housaton...

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...

Discover the enduring works of Edward Payson Roe, a celebrated nineteenth-century American novelist and minister whose writing combines romance, moral reflection, social themes, and an appreciation for perseverance and human kindness. This illustrated collection brings together some of his most notable works, offering readers a rich introduction to his distinctive literary world. In He Fell in Love with His Wife, Roe explores marriage, devotion, personal growth, and the unexpected ways aff...

"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....

In "His Sombre Rivals," Edward Payson Roe crafts a poignant narrative that deftly blends romance and social commentary against the backdrop of the Civil War era. The novel explores themes of love, rivalry, and the profound effects of war on human relationships. Roe's prose is characterized by rich descriptions and a deep psychological insight into his characters, encapsulating the moral dilemmas and emotional turmoil faced by individuals during tumultuous times. Set within the richly evoca...

In "What Can She Do?", Edward Payson Roe masterfully weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of gender roles and societal expectations in the late 19th century. The novel follows the struggles of its female protagonist as she navigates the limitations imposed by a patriarchal society, all while showcasing Roe's signature blend of sentimentalism and realism. His deft characterizations and evocative prose immerse readers in a world grappling with the emerging question of women's ri...

In "The Earth Trembled," Edward Payson Roe weaves a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of a natural disaster, exploring themes of human resilience and moral integrity. This novel, marked by Roe's characteristic realism and vivid characterizations, reflects the socio-religious milieu of late 19th-century America. Through richly descriptive prose and empathetic dialogue, Roe captures the community's turmoil and response, articulating the deep emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by ...

In "He Fell in Love with His Wife," Edward Payson Roe weaves a compelling narrative that explores the intricacies of love, marriage, and post-Civil War societal norms. The story is marked by Roe's characteristic realism, depicting the struggles and triumphs of the protagonist as he navigates the complexities of his emotional and marital life. His skillful prose and vivid characterizations reflect the Victorian era's moral sentiments, offering readers a lens into the transformative power of...