The Perennial Bachelor

Anne Parrish’s 1925 bestseller follows the Campion family across several decades of comfortable American life, with nearly all its warmth turned toward one person. Victor, the only son among devoted sisters and an adoring mother, grows up shielded from every hardship and expectation. The women arrange their lives around his, smoothing his path and quietly setting aside their own hopes, and the very love that surrounds him keeps him from ever growing up or marrying. Parrish tells the story with irony and tenderness at once, watching how good intentions can slowly hollow out a life. It was one of the most talked-about novels of its year and made her name. Free PDF and EPUB editions are available to download.