Three Lives : Stories of the Good Anna, Melanctha, and the Gentle Lena (1909)

As seen in the title, Stein narrates the lives of three very different women, not in itself original, but it is the writing style that puts it on the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list.

The first part follows the live of Anna, a German immigrant who works for Miss Mathilda, though is really the one in control of the household, making herself indispensible to her mistress. As the narrative moves forward, we find out more about Anna, her childhood and move to the States, as well as her family connections. She moves between positions, usually if her control is challenged by another woman, a wife for example. She is a kind woman, giving more than she has.

The second woman, Melanctha, couldn't be more different. It has a very different feeling, Melanctha is a young woman with a black father and mixed race mother, race and gender roles are very important in this part, as is sex. Melanctha is not content with her life, she is looking for more than what fate casts as her lot. This is the hardest part to read, not because of the material, rather the way it is presented, it is like listening to someone talking to you, going over the story, repeating details.

Last up is Lena, the saddest of the three women. Another German immigrant, she has the least control over her life, pushed towards an equally reluctant husband.

Took a while to read because of the writing style, which is more of an oral style with a lack of punctuation. I did enjoy it though, it is a rather sad book, especially for a female reader. ( )

It was a struggle to get through this. Simply, I would not recommend it. I find the book itself pretentious, and the high praise/adjectives given on the cover and jacket (...unforgetable stories...poignancy...compassion...) laughable. Nothing about the book worked for me, and I'm afraid I simply don't consider this a classic in any way aside from title. It is worthwhile to attempt something, yes, and I can certainly see Stein reaching for goals, but she came far short. Based on this and what else I've read by Stein, I'm afraid I can't consider her much more than a joke or a very lucky woman who I will not call a writer. Needless to say, I recommend you don't bother. Good luck getting through it if you do. For me, it was a struggle of will to read two "lives", having read one years ago, unhappily, for a class. ( )

This is one of three of Stein’s works on the 1001 Must Read List. It is, indeed, the story of three lives, of three women, in the first years of the last century, in Bridgepoint: the Good Anna, Melanctha, and Lena. This is Stein’s first published book, and it seems extremely arcane today. Written mostly in straight declarative sentences, with lots and lots and lots of repetition, the three stories are a difficult slog. The Good Anna doesn’t suffer fools or foolish behavior but she is a generous woman in many respects. Melanctha is a black woman who behaves “badly” by community definition. Lena is an immigrant who simply gets through life. The three are all serving class, meaning they are dependent on wages and/or family to live. The first and last stories, The Good Anna and Lena, are relatively short, while Melanctha’s story goes on and on and on and on and on. In this section especially, Stein appears to be attempting to duplicate speech rhythms and it gets tedious. I read it, but I recommend it really only to fans or literature majors. It will drive the everyday reader bonkers. ( )

The novel covers the lives of three women: Anna, a German-American servant, Melanctha, a single black woman, and Lena, a German immigrant who marries a tailor.

Through the use of repetition, the author draws you so thoroughly into the lives of the characters that it is somewhat uncomfortable for the reader. The middle and longest section about Melanctha in particular made me feel almost like I was engaged in a bad relationship myself. Brilliant proof that poetry and realism mix well, or that at least they can when Gertrude Stein is the writer. ( )

It was a struggle to get through this. Simply, I would not recommend it. I find the book itself pretentious, and the high praise/adjectives given on the cover and jacket (...unforgetable stories...poignancy...compassion...) laughable. Nothing about the book worked for me, and I'm afraid I simply don't consider this a classic in any way aside from title. It is worthwhile to attempt something, yes, and I can certainly see Stein reaching for goals, but she came far short. Based on this and what else I've read by Stein, I'm afraid I can't consider her much more than a joke or a very lucky woman who I will not call a writer. Needless to say, I recommend you don't bother. Good luck getting through it if you do. For me, it was a struggle of will to read two "lives", having read one years ago, unhappily, for a class. ( )