Three Lives
Three Lives
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1909
Book Brief
176
Novella • Fiction
Bridgepoint, Maryland • Early 1900s
1909
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Three Lives by Gertrude Stein comprises three novellas set in the fictional town of Bridgepoint, exploring the struggles of working-class women seeking to express their identities and aspirations. “The Good Anna” follows a German servant's life and care for others, “Melanctha” features a woman’s quest for fulfillment, and “The Gentle Lena” chronicles a passive woman’s life and marriage. Themes of race, gender, and mental health are present.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
4,461 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Many reviews of Three Lives by Gertrude Stein praise its pioneering narrative style and deep psychological insights. However, some criticize the repetitive prose and challenging readability. While Stein's exploration of three distinct female characters offers rich, layered portraits, the unconventional structure can be polarizing for readers.
Who Should Read Three Lives?
A reader who would enjoy Three Lives by Gertrude Stein likely appreciates experimental narrative structures and modernist literature. Fans of James Joyce’s Dubliners or Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway will find Stein’s innovative prose and character studies compelling. These readers enjoy exploring the inner lives of complex characters through unique, avant-garde writing styles.
4,461 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
176
Novella • Fiction
Bridgepoint, Maryland • Early 1900s
1909
Adult
18+ years
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