Three Lives

Set in the fictional Bridgepoint, a representation of Baltimore, this collection of novellas explores the lives of working-class individuals from diverse backgrounds facing the challenges of industrial life. "The Good Anna" follows an immigrant housekeeper grappling with her traumatic past while seeking respect. "Melanctha" tells the story of a mixed-race woman struggling with betrayal in a segregated society. "The Gentle Lana" depicts a German immigrant's unfulfilled domestic life. Stein's innovative narrative style marks a significant moment in American literature.