THE FLIGHT OF PONY BAKER: A Boy's Town Story (Illustrated) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Children's Classic from the Author of Christmas Every Day, The Rise of Silas Lapham, A Traveler from Altruria, Venetian Life & Indian SummerBy William Dean Howells
Length5h 49m
About this audiobook
The Flight of Pony Baker: A Boy's Town Story is a finely observed juvenile tale rooted in the remembered textures of small-town Midwestern childhood. Centered on Pony Baker's impulsive decision to run away, the narrative transforms a boyish adventure into a subtle study of imagination, fear, pride, and moral awakening. Howells's style is lucid, humane, and gently ironic, marked by the realist precision that made him a central figure in nineteenth-century American letters. With its illustrations and episodic movement, the book belongs to the tradition of postbellum children's fiction, yet it resists melodrama in favor of psychological truth. William Dean Howells, often called the "Dean of American Letters," brought to this story the authority of both a major novelist and a careful chronicler of ordinary life. Born in Ohio, Howells repeatedly returned in memory to the landscapes, speech, and social rituals of his boyhood. His commitment to realism, shaped by his editorial work and by friendships with writers such as Mark Twain, informs the affectionate accuracy of Pony's world. This book is recommended for readers interested in classic American childhood narratives, literary realism, and the cultural memory of small-town life. It offers charm, wit, and emotional intelligence without sentimentality.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreChildren's Literature
Length5 hrs 49 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJan 2, 2016
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6THE FLIGHT OF PONY BAKER: A Boy's Town Story (Illustrated)
7I. Pony’s Mother, And Why He Had A Right To Run Off
8II. The Right That Pony Had To Run Off, From The Way His Father Acted
9III. Jim Leonard’s Hair-breadth Escape
10IV. The Scrape That Jim Leonard Got The Boys Into
11V. About Running Away To The Indian Reservation On A Canal-boat, And How The Plan Failed
12VI. How The Indians Came To The Boy’s Town And Jim Leonard Acted The Coward
13VII. How Frank Baker Spent The Fourth At Pawpaw Bottom, And Saw The Fourth Of July Boy
14VIII. How Pony Baker Came Pretty Near Running Off With A Circus
15IX. How Pony Did Not Quite Get Off With The Circus
16X. The Adventures That Pony’s Cousin, Frank Baker, Had With A Pocketful Of Money
17XI. How Jim Leonard Planned For Pony Baker to Run Off On A Raft
18XII. How Jim Leonard Backed Out, and Pony Had To Give It Up
19Analysis
20Reflection
21Memorable Quotes
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