• PART. VII ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay "Maymeys from Cuba," part of Edna Ferber's "Buttered Side Down," unfolds the tale of Jennie, a young, unemployed, and famished woman in Chicago during wintertime. Jennie stares longingly at exotic fruits in a grocer's window, where affluent delicacies like peaches, grapes, and a curious item labeled "maymeys from Cuba" ignite in her a mix of desire and indignation. As hunger gnaws at her, Jennie reflects on the absurdity of such luxuries amidst her own dire need. Her journey from the mesmerizing window…
    • PART. VI ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay In "One of the Old Girls" from "Buttered Side Down," we meet Effie Bauer, an accomplished and prosperous department store employee well-versed in the latest trends in fashion and personal adornment. Despite her professional success, Effie's personal life has not followed the conventional path of early marriage and family; she has remained single into middle age, not out of choice, but due to a lack of opportunity in her younger years. Effie is portrayed as a capable and independent woman, yet one who…
    • PART. V ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Kitchen Side of the Door," the grandeur of New Year's Eve in New York contrasts sharply with the gritty reality behind the scenes in the kitchen of the Newest Hotel. Amidst the chaotic celebrations marked by debauchery and excess among the rich and glamorous, Miss Gussie Fink, the kitchen's checker, stands as a beacon of order and diligence. Despite the surrounding decadence, including a Russian Grand Duke look-alike enjoying champagne from a lady's slipper, and other guests indulging in the…
    • PART. IX ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay In the bustling and diverse essence of South Clark Street, Chicago, marked by its eclectic mix of cultures and faces, lives Tony, the unique newsboy with a stand that seems to bridge the global divide. Tony sells newspapers from every conceivable place, making his stand a cornerstone for those yearning for a slice of home, wherever that may be. He is a testament to the fact that, despite his rough exterior, the heart of the community pulses through the tales shared and the papers sold. The story unfolds…
    • PART. IV ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Bush League Hero" from "Buttered Side Down," Edna Ferber tells the story of Ivy Keller, a recent homecomer from a select school for young ladies, who soon finds herself infatuated with Rudie Schlachweiler, a local baseball pitcher. Ivy's transformation from an uninterested homebody into a devout baseball fan serves as the backdrop for a tale that explores themes of hero worship, young love, and the eventual confrontation with reality. Rudie Schlachweiler, lauded in his small town both for his…
    • PART. III ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay "The chapter from 'Buttered Side Down' titled 'What She Wore' delves into the complexities of dressing characters in literature, focusing on the protagonist, Sophy Epstein. Sophy, a young, underpaid shoe clerk in a downtown loft, dons a provocatively tight and sleazy black dress, much to the internal disapproval of the protagonist. This attire showcases her societal and economic struggles, symbolizing her rebellion against the plight of overwork and underpayment prevalent among women of her…
    • PART. II ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Man Who Came Back" from "Buttered Side Down" delves into the life of Ted Terrill, who struggles with his past as a convict. After serving time for embezzling bank funds in a failed speculation, Ted returns home with the intent to leave immediately after visiting his mother's grave. His prison term had been unconventional—no prison pallor or shorn hair for him, thanks to the reformative approach of his prison's superintendent. His involvement in sports and the lack of typical convict features allowed…
    • PART. I  ‑Buttered Side Down Cover
      by LovelyMay "BUTTERED SIDE DOWN" opens with a bold statement about the allure of New York as the quintessential setting for magazine stories, then promptly shifts gear, revealing the narrative will not bow to this cliché. Instead, it transports us to Chicago, specifically to the Nottingham curtain district, an area characterized by its ubiquitous “Rooms With or Without Board” signs, smoke-stained curtains, and a strong favor for dishes like creamed cabbage over finer delicacies. Here, we meet Gertie, a diligent…
    • Chapter

      PART THE THIRD

      PART THE THIRD Cover
      by LovelyMay Paphnutius, having returned to the desert from Alexandria where he converted the courtesan Thais to a life of piety, struggles with temptations and doubts about his faith. The holy desert, his former haven of peace, now feels alien to him. Despite the joyous welcome from his disciples, Paphnutius finds himself disenchanted with his cell and the ascetic life he once cherished. The tranquility and sense of divine presence he used to feel are replaced with a profound sense of loss and a questioning of his…
      Fiction • Novel
    • Chapter

      PART THE SECOND

      PART THE SECOND Cover
      by LovelyMay He remained in prayer a long time, and when he rose, his face shone with celestial joy. He blessed Thais, who watched him through the bars, and then, without speaking a word, left the convent, his heart filled with peace because he had accomplished his mission. As he journeyed back to the desert, Paphnutius contemplated the magnificent isolation that awaited him, where he could devote himself entirely to the praises of God, undisturbed by the cares of the world. Meanwhile, Thais, secluded in her cell,…
      Fiction • Novel
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