Alfred Henry Lewis 
Wolfville Nights 

Alfred Henry Lewis’ ‘Wolfville Nights’ is a collection of short stories that offer a vivid portrayal of life in the Old West. Set in the rough and tumble town of Wolfville, the book explores themes of morality, justice, and human nature with a unique blend of wit and wisdom. Each story is filled with colorful characters and engaging plotlines, making it a delightful read for fans of Western literature. Written in a straightforward and engaging style, ‘Wolfville Nights’ captures the essence of the Wild West while also providing insightful commentary on society at the time. The book’s rich language and vivid descriptions transport the reader back to a bygone era, immersing them in the world of cowboys, outlaws, and frontier life. Alfred Henry Lewis, a former lawyer turned journalist, draws on his experiences in the American West to craft stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. His deep understanding of human nature and his keen eye for detail shine through in each tale, making ‘Wolfville Nights’ a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of the Old West.

About the author

Alfred Henry Lewis (1857–1914) was an American journalist, lawyer, novelist, and short story writer, known for his unique blend of Western tales and contemporary social critique. His literary career was marked by a keen interest in the American West frontier life, which is vividly depicted in his works. ‘Wolfville Nights’ is one of Lewis’s notable books that wittily portrays the life and characters of a frontier town named Wolfville. This 1902 collection of tales is reflective of Lewis’s characteristic narrative style, which often combined sharp humor with an eye for revealing the underlying truths about human nature and society. His writing tended to spotlight the moral ambiguities of law, order, and civilization, set against the untamed backdrop of the American West. Lewis’s works not only entertained readers with their colorful depictions of Western life but also offered insights into the complexities of a rapidly changing American society at the turn of the 20th century. His storytelling prowess solidified his place as an important contributor to the genre of Western literature at a time when the American public was fascinated with the romance and realities of frontier life.