Comprising of seven short stories, Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett explores the lives of the residents of small New England towns, both rural and oceanside. Beginning the collection, A Lost Lover follows the love story of an elderly woman named Horatia Dane. After rumors of her love life begin circulating around the town, Horatia reveals her side of the story, a heart-breaking tale of a lover lost at sea. In A Sorrowful Guest, a young military man writes to his sister, begging her to move to America to live with him. With similar themes of loneliness, A Late Supper depicts an elderly woman in search of company after she becomes the sole surviving member of her family. Reminiscing on the different kinds of family dynamics, a woman named Mary tries to lift her niece’s spirits by telling her a story about her less-than-ideal upbringing in Mr. Bruce. While Mr. Bruce wrestles with the past, Miss Sydney’s Flowers encourages a future of change through the depiction of Miss. Sydney, a long-term resident of her town. When the city decides to pave a new road next to her home, Miss Sydney is upset and resentful of the change. However, as the days go by, she realizes the benefits of having a busy street near her house. With masterful description, picturesque imagery, and stunning characterization, Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett provides an intimate portrayal of 19th century New England. As an excellent example of the local color movement, a literary initiative to place distinct regions under a spotlight, Old Friends and New is comprised of short stories that vividly depict the people, landscape, and customs of New England states. This edition of Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Old Friends and New to modern standards while preserving the original tranquility and beauty of the work of Sarah Orne Jewett.
