A Midnight Fantasy

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.9

Word count: 40K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.A Midnight Fantasy by Thomas Bailey AldrichAuthor: Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Nov 6, 2007

Editor's review

Thomas Bailey Aldrich's A Midnight Fantasy is a short work bearing the flavor of nineteenth-century American literature: brief in length, yet capable of creating a distinctive reading atmosphere between night and imagination. Aldrich is best known as a poet, and his prose narratives often attend to verbal rhythm and the elaboration of imagery; this work continues that mode, leaning toward atmosphere and ingenuity. It is best treated as a small window through which readers may glimpse the pleasures of nineteenth-century American short fiction: it does not rely on intricate plot but instead hides humor, sentiment, or a touch of the supernatural within light-footed narration. For readers accustomed to modern fast-paced storytelling, it may seem understated and slow; but those willing to slow down and read a portion before sleep or on a quiet afternoon may instead appreciate the lingering resonance of that older prose. As a public-domain ebook, it is also a convenient entry point for understanding Aldrich's creative profile and the ecology of nineteenth-century American literary periodicals.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in nineteenth-century American literature who want a light introduction
Those who enjoy short fantasy and atmospheric narrative and do not demand strong plot
Readers accustomed to reading in English who want to use spare moments for public-domain books
Students or enthusiasts studying American literary periodicals and the short-story tradition

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer long, complex plots and fast-paced narrative
Readers hoping for a complete author biography and detailed commentary on the work
Those not yet proficient in reading English who need annotated assistance

Reading tips

Read through once first to take in the atmosphere; do not rush to clarify every allusion, and look more closely at language and imagery on a second pass.
It suits short readings before sleep or during a commute; read a small section at a time and leave room for imagination.
After reading, compare it with Aldrich's poems to appreciate how his poet's craft carries over into prose.
If using it for study, mark shifts in narrative perspective and scene description and take brief notes.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book long or short?

According to the public-domain record, it is a short work by Aldrich, brief enough to finish in one sitting or over a few readings. The exact page count varies with the layout of the electronic edition; the actual file should be taken as authoritative.

Can someone with no English read it?

The original is in English and carries nineteenth-century language habits, so readers with no English at all will find it difficult. Some English reading ability is recommended, or reading with the aid of dictionaries and annotation tools.

Why is the recommended version from Project Gutenberg?

Project Gutenberg is a long-established free ebook project that provides electronic texts of public-domain works. This version is easy to obtain and search and suits light reading and textual study, but it does not include the introductions and annotations of a modern publishing house.

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About the author

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907 Author

Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836–1907) was an American writer and poet. The library holds 19 of his works, spanning fiction, poetry, and essays. Among them, The Story of a Bad Boy is the best known, alongside novels such as The Queen of Sheba, Marjorie Daw, and Daisy's Necklace, and poetry collections including The Sisters' Tragedy, with Other Poems, Lyrical and Dramatic. His writing often depicts childhood and everyday characters in a light, humorous tone, with fresh narration and a strong sense of life. The Story of a Bad Boy is regarded as a pioneering work of coming-of-age fiction told from a boy's perspective, and it has influenced later American juvenile literature. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so this entry makes no speculation.