The Choir Invisible
1897 novel by James Lane Allen
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The Choir Invisible is a novel by James Lane Allen published in 1897. A bestseller,[1][2] it was the second-best selling book in the United States for 1897.
1897 book cover | |
| Author | James Lane Allen |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
Publication date | April 1897 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 361 pp |
A poignant love story, it is set in Kentucky[3] in 1795 and begins with a portion of the poem "The Choir Invisible" by George Eliot.[4] Although criticized for lacking depth, being full of digressions, and "artistically disappointing", it was his most popular novel.[5] An 1897 review in The Atlantic Monthly faulted the book for its "meagre" structure, yet praised its tone and style.[6] The book is often regarded as Allen's best work.[7]
The novel was developed from a novelette Allen published in 1893 titled "John Gray: A Kentucky Tale of the Olden Time".[8]