The Dollmaker

Harriette Simpson Arnow

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struggles of war

impact of world war ii on families

adaptation to urban life

resilience and sacrifice

strong female protagonist

relatable family dynamics

regional dialect in prose

powerful emotional experiences

rural versus urban life

industrial detroit landscape

slow pacing intensity

american fiction about hardship

poignant narrative

The Dollmaker by Harriette Simpson Arnow is a poignant and haunting tale set during World War II, following the Nevels family as they leave their rural life in Kentucky to work in Detroit. The story delves into the struggles and hardships faced by the characters, particularly Gertie Nevels, a strong and independent woman who navigates the challenges of adapting to a new life in the city. The narrative captures the essence of the war era, exploring themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the impact of war on ordinary people.

Characters:

Characters are deeply drawn and relatable, depicting a struggling family with a strong matriarch at the center.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs regional dialect and powerful prose to vividly convey character experiences and emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Gertie Nevels as she grapples with life's challenges while aspiring to improve her family's situation, showcasing deep contrasts between rural and urban life.

Setting:

The shifting setting from Kentucky's countryside to Detroit's industrial landscape serves as a backdrop for the family's challenges.

Pacing:

While generally slow due to its length, the book's intensity keeps readers engaged throughout.

DOCK’S SHOES ON THE rocks up the hill and his heavy breathing had shut out all sound so that it seemed a long while she had heard nothing, and Amos lay too still, not clawing at the blanket as when th...

Notes:

The Dollmaker was published in 1954 and received critical acclaim immediately.

The main character, Gertie Nevels, is portrayed as a strong and independent woman.

The story is set during World War II, focusing on Gertie's life in Kentucky and later in Detroit.

Gertie dreams of buying her own farm and has been secretly saving money for years.

The author uses regional dialect in the dialogue to enhance authenticity.

The novel explores the hardships faced by rural families moving to urban settings during wartime.

Gertie's husband, Clovis, is initially called to serve in the Army but ends up working in a factory instead.

The book depicts the struggles of adapting to city life, poverty, and social prejudice.

Arnow based the story on her own life experiences, bringing a personal touch to the narrative.

The Dollmaker has been described as haunting and heart-wrenching, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of economic hardship, graphic depictions of poverty, violence, and mental illness.

From The Publisher:

The Dollmaker was originally published in 1954 to immediate success and critical acclaim. In unadorned and powerful prose, Harriette Arnow tells the unforgettable and heartbreaking story of the Nevels family and their quest to preserve their deep-rooted values amidst the turmoil of war and industrialization. When Gertie Nevels, a strong and self-reliant matriarch, follows her husband to Detroit from their countryside home in Kentucky, she learns she will have to fight desperately to keep her family together. A sprawling book full of vividly drawn characters and masterful scenes, The Dollmaker is a passionate tribute to a woman's love for her children and the land.

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About the Author:

Harriette Arnow was born in Wayne County, Kentucky in 1908. From her father, a former teacher who later worked in factories and oil fields, and her mother, also a teacher, Arnow inherited the rich storytelling tradition that inspired much of her written work. She published her first short stories in 1935 under the pseudonym H.L. Simpson alongside a photograph of her brother-in-law to disguise her gender. Her acclaimed novels, Mountain Path, Hunter's Horn and The Dollmaker, the last considered her masterpiece and a landmark of American fiction. She died in 1986 at age seventy-seven.

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