With the Procession   By: Henry Blake Fuller (1857-1929)

With the Procession by Henry Blake Fuller is a thought-provoking and introspective novel that delves into the complexities of urban life and human nature. Set in the bustling city of Chicago during the late nineteenth century, this novel offers a sincere portrayal of the challenges and conflicts faced by its diverse cast of characters.

Fuller's writing style is rich and captivating, effortlessly drawing the reader into the vividly depicted world of the city. The prose is eloquent and evocative, striking a perfect balance between descriptive passages and engrossing dialogue. The author's attention to detail creates a palpable sense of time and place, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the urban landscape.

At the heart of the novel lies a compelling exploration of human nature and the impact of societal expectations. Fuller skillfully presents his characters as multifaceted individuals, each facing their own inner conflicts and dilemmas. Through their interactions and internal dialogues, he deftly examines themes of ambition, identity, and the longing for connection in a rapidly evolving city.

One of the novel's strengths is its ability to provide a nuanced and multifaceted perspective on the city of Chicago itself. Fuller uncovers both its glory and its dark underbelly, showcasing the stark contrast between wealth and poverty, success and failure, and ambition and despair. The city, in many ways, becomes a character in and of itself, influencing and shaping the lives of the individuals who inhabit it.

While some readers may find the novel's pacing slow at times, this deliberate choice allows for a more profound exploration of the characters' inner lives. Fuller takes his time to delve into their thoughts, fears, and desires, creating a sense of intimacy that contributes to the emotional depth of the story.

With the Procession is a timeless novel that delves into universal themes while capturing the unique essence of a specific time and place. Fuller's masterful storytelling and profound understanding of human nature make this book a worthwhile read for anyone interested in thought-provoking literature. Few authors have the ability to simultaneously transport readers back in time and reflect on the enduring aspects of the human experience, but Fuller accomplishes this with grace and skill in this remarkable novel.

First Page:

When old Mr. Marshall finally took to his bed, the household viewed this action with more surprise than sympathy, and with more impatience than surprise. It seemed like the breaking down of a machine whose trustworthiness had been hitherto infallible; his family were almost forced to the acknowledgement that he was but a mere human being after all. They had enjoyed a certain intimacy with him, in lengths varying with their respective ages, but they had never made a full avowal that his being rested on any tangible physical basis. Rather had they fallen into the way of considering him as a disembodied intelligence, whose sole function was to direct the transmutation of values and credits and resources and opportunities into the creature comforts demanded by the state of life unto which it had please Providence to call them; and their dismay was now such as might occur at the Mint if the great stamp were suddenly and of its own accord to cease its coinage of double eagles and to sink into a silence of supine idleness. His wife and children acknowledged, indeed, his head and his hands those it were impossible to overlook; but his head stopped with the rim of his collar, while his hands those long, lean hands, freckled, tufted goldishly between joints and knuckles they never followed beyond the plain gilt sleeve buttons (marked with a Roman M) which secured the overlapping of his cuffs... Continue reading book >>