The Landlord at Lion's Head — Volume 2 by William Dean Howells
"The Landlord at Lion's Head — Volume 2" by William Dean Howells is a novel set in the late 19th century, continuing the story begun in the first volume. The narrative centers around the Durgin family, particularly focusing on the dynamics and relationships that unfold as they await the return of Jackson, the son who has gone away but maintains correspondence with them, especially with Cynthia, a significant character in their lives.
At the start of the book, we find Jackson's mother, Mrs. Durgin, eagerly waiting for news from her son, who writes to her regularly from afar. The opening portion unfolds in the midst of a harsh winter where letters are a critical means of connection. As the family navigates their daily life, we see various interactions, including playful exchanges with Jombateeste, who delivers letters, and reflections on the relationships between the characters, such as the tension regarding Jeff Durgin and his future aspirations. The scene is set for exploring themes of family ties, social class, and personal ambitions against the backdrop of the changing norms of the period. (This is an automatically generated summary.)