Dark Laughter

Sherwood Anderson's novel "Dark Laughter" (1925) is a pioneering work of Modernist fiction that explores the lives of Americans in the early-twentieth century. Inspired by James Joyce's stream of consciousness style, the novel remains controversial for its depictions of race, class, and sexuality. The protagonist, Bruce Dudley, is a factory worker in Old Harbor, Indiana, who was born in Old Harbor and raised as John Stockton. Late in life, he leaves his family and career to start over in the place where he began and finds himself drawn to the factory owners wife, despite his guilt and shame.

Format: Hardback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: West Margin Press

Dark Laughter, a novel by Sherwood Anderson, delves into the complexities of human emotions and motivations. Set in the early 20th century, the book is inspired by Anderson's personal journey of abandoning his family and career to pursue his passion for writing. Through his characters, Anderson explores the guilt, routines, desires, and disappointments that drove the lives of many Americans during that time.

While Anderson is best known for his story collection Winesburg, Ohio, which is considered a pioneering work of Modernist fiction, Dark Laughter was his only bestseller. The novel is notable for its stream of consciousness style, similar to James Joyce's Ulysses, and its controversial depictions of race, class, and sexuality.

The story begins with Bruce Dudley, a factory worker in Old Harbor, Indiana. Bruce leads a simple life, spending his days at the factory and his nights at the bar with his friends. He is content with his existence, believing that he has found his place in the world. However, deep down, Bruce carries a secret that he has been hiding from everyone for years.

Born in Old Harbor and raised on its streets, Bruce was once known as John Stockton, an Indiana native who had moved to Chicago to pursue his career as a reporter. Married with two children, John had a seemingly happy life. He was respected in his profession and loved by his family. But something changed inside John late in life. He felt trapped, suffocated by the routine of his everyday life. He needed a change, a new beginning.

One day, John decided to leave his family and his job behind. He sold his house and packed his belongings into a truck, driving to Old Harbor, the place where it all began. He wanted to start over, to erase his past and create a new identity for himself. When he arrived in Old Harbor, he rented a small room and began to write. He wrote day and night, pouring his heart and soul into his work.

At first, Bruce's writing was met with skepticism and rejection. He struggled to find a publisher for his work, and many of the editors he approached turned him down. But he refused to give up. He continued to write, pouring his heart and soul into his work. And eventually, his hard work paid off.

Dark Laughter was published in 1925, and it became a bestseller. The novel was praised for its raw and honest portrayal of human emotions and its exploration of the complexities of the human psyche. It was also notable for its use of stream of consciousness style, which allowed readers to experience the thoughts and emotions of the characters directly.

Despite its success, Dark Laughter was not without its controversies. Some critics accused Anderson of using racist and sexist language, and the novel's depictions of race, class, and sexuality were considered controversial for their time. However, Anderson defended his work, arguing that it was a reflection of the social and cultural norms of the early 20th century.

In conclusion, Dark Laughter is a powerful and thought-provoking novel by Sherwood Anderson. Inspired by his personal journey and his desire to start over, Anderson explores the complexities of human emotions and motivations through the lives of his characters. The novel's controversial depictions of race, class, and sexuality have made it a subject of debate and discussion, but its raw and honest portrayal of human emotions has made it a timeless masterpiece.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 135 x 210 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513135267