{"product_id":"book-k4sa","title":"Three Lives","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThree Lives\u003c\/em\u003e was written in 1905\/06 and published in 1909 at the author's expense. The work consists of three independent novellas: \u003cem\u003eThe Good Anna\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMelanctha\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eThe Gentle Lena\u003c\/em\u003e. Each of the titular characters lives in Bridgepoint, a fictional town based on Baltimore.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Good Anna\u003c\/em\u003e explores the life of strong-willed Anna Federner, a woman of \"solid lower middle-class south German stock.\" The story follows the relationships Anna develops with the women in the households in which she works as a servant, and explores in particular the theme of bonding between women.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMelanctha\u003c\/em\u003e is an unconventional novella in which Stein explores what it is to seek meaning and fulfillment amidst the complexities and challenges of life. Melanctha, the daughter of a black father and a mixed-race mother, is unsatisfied with her life in segregated Bridgepoint. She launches into a passionate search for knowledge and power, within complicated cross-currents of race, sex and gender. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Gentle Lena\u003c\/em\u003e recounts the life of Lena, who (like Anna in the first story) is an immigrant from Germany, now living in Bridgepoint. Lena is also a servant, but ends up marrying Herman Kreder, at the behest of the elders in their lives. In contrast to Anna Federner, who is willful and determined, Lena's life is marked by a consistent passivity, which Stein explores throughout the narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe three lives presented by Stein are compelling, and reflect the author's philosophical and literary values. Her use of repetition is particularly pronounced in both \u003cem\u003eMelanctha\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Good Lena\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Martha H. Weller","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook [BD]","offer_id":49398257516848,"sku":"BDk4sa","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Audio CD [ZE]","offer_id":49398257549616,"sku":"ZEk4sa","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD [ZM]","offer_id":49398257582384,"sku":"ZMk4sa","price":35.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/k4sa-Square-cover.jpg?v=1776023121","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-k4sa","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}