At the Foot of the Rainbow by Gene Stratton-Porter

At the Foot of the Rainbow (1907) by Gene Stratton-Porter is the story of a three people: a deceived man and woman and a second man who is haunted by the lies he told them over fifteen years ago. The story is set in Rainbow Bottom on the Wabash River in Indiana.

Dannie Macnoun lives next door to his best friend Jimmy Malone and Jimmy's wife Mary. Although Dannie rarely expresses his feelings, he has been in love with Mary for over fifteen years. Years ago, Mary chose Jimmy over Dannie. Rather than becoming resentful, Dannie is a good man, who continues to be devoted to both Jimmy and Mary.

Dannie does more than his share of the work. He looks after Mary and takes care of any troubles Jimmy gets into. When Jimmy spends his savings on drinks at the bar, Dannie gets him home safely and even lends him money. Dannie is steadfast and devoted in contrast with Jimmy, who is childish, spoiled, and loves telling stories.

Jimmy's cheer fades as the story proceeds, and he is haunted by a sin from his past. Jimmy did not marry his wife Mary fairly, and he stole her from Dannie. All three characters are unhappy for different reasons, and Jimmy's growing torment begins to tears them apart.

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The Dangerous Summer by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemmingway wrote The Dangerous Summer in 1960 for LIFE magazine. Here, Hemingway recounts the summer he spent in Spain in 1959 watching a series of bullfights between two great matadors. Luis Miguel Dominguin and his brother-in-law Antonio Ordonez became rivals in a mano a mano (hand-to-hand duel). Throughout the summer, Dominguin and Ordonez tried to show one another up as performers in the ring while traveling from city to city and match to match.

I read an edited version of Hemingway’s LIFE magazine piece with an introduction by James Mitchener. The book serves as an introduction to bullfighting, gives insight into Hemingway’s personal life, and gives the reader beautiful glimpses of Spain as they travel the country. The Dangerous Summer is one of Hemingway’s last stories, and in it, Hemingway looks back upon his life.

Hemingway was friends with both Dominguin and Ordonez, and had broken his personal rule to stop being personally involved with bullfighters. Ordonez was the son of Cayetano Ordonez, a friend of Hemingway's in the 1920s and the model for Pedro Romero in The Sun Also Rises. Although Hemingway is friends with both Dominguin and Ordonez, he favors Ordonez throughout, believing him to be an exceptional bullfighter. Hemingway draws a contrast between these young, vibrant matadors and provides lasting sentiments on their bravery and immortality.

External Link:
"The Last Ole” By William Kennedy, The New York Times

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The Reef by Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton’s The Reef (1912) tells the story George Darrow and his former love Anna Leath. Darrow was interested in Anna when he was young, but she married another man. After the death of Anna’s husband, they resume contact and plan to meet in Paris.

As Darrow is ready to travel from London to France to see Anna, she postpones their meeting with a short note, giving him no explanation. Darrow feels angry and humiliated, but decides to go to France. He meets a young woman named Sophy Viner. Sophy is a poor and sincere woman, and while Darrow cares little for her, he enjoys charming her and treating her to fancy meals and nights at the theatre. Darrow also wants to put Anna out of his mind. Darrow and Sophy have an affair.

It is unclear how their affair ends. Months later, Darrow is at Anna’s home, where she lives with her daughter, former mother-in-law, and stepson Owen. The plot thickens when Darrow meets Sophy again. She has taken a job as the governess of Anna’s daughter. Darrow and Sophy hide their relationship from the others.

Meanwhile, Anna and Darrow plan their wedding. Anna talks to Darrow about Owen’s interest in a young lady, and Darrow eventually learns that Owen has proposed to Sophy. His sympathy for Sophy conflicts with his opinion that she is not a suitable wife for Owen. Darrow and Sophy’s affair is eventually revealed in this perfectly executed plot.

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