The Happy End

Name: The Happy End
Author: Joseph Hergesheimer

By Joseph Hergesheimer

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American Literature Novels

About This Book

A collection of linked short stories portrays people in provincial and coastal settings who are quietly driven by a hunger for beauty, excitement, and escape. Episodes move from mountain rectories to sunlit bays and trace fragile romantic entanglements, impulsive departures, and occasional tragedy. The prose emphasizes sensory detail and social surface while exploring restlessness, aesthetic longing, moral ambiguity, and the personal costs of pursuing novelty. Varied tones—elegiac, ironic, observant—unify the pieces through psychological scrutiny of desire and consequence.

About the Author

Joseph Hergesheimer

Joseph Hergesheimer was an American novelist and short story writer known for his vivid and lyrical prose. Active in the early 20th century, he explored themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships. His notable works include "Cytherea," which delves into the intricacies of desire and identity, and "Java Head," a tale set against the backdrop of the East Indies that examines cultural clashes and personal transformation. Hergesheimer's writing often reflects a deep appreciation for the beauty of language and a keen insight into the human condition, contributing significantly to American literature during his time.